Go Red for Women to raise awareness of heart disease in central Ohio

Adam Conn
·2 min read

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women and the American Heart Association is asking you to lend support by going red for women — by wearing the color red.

According to the American Heart Association, nearly 45 percent of women over the age of 20 are living with some form of the disease while cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of maternal death in the United States and central Ohio. Approximately the same number of women, 44 percent, are even aware that cardiovascular disease is their leading cause of death, according to the Center for Disease Control, Women and Heart Disease.

Get out and do something this weekend in central Ohio, Feb. 1-4

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Columbus Go Red for Women Luncheon to bring awareness to cardiovascular disease in women. The event, which begins 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Downtown, Columbus Hyatt Regency, will honor the movement, the survivors and highlight advancements in heart health.

The luncheon will feature cardiac-arrest survivors, the lifesaving skill of CPR, provide hands-only CPR training, and encourage women to check their numbers that determine the risk for heart disease, including total cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar.

“Go Red for Women is here for women’s health and well-being at every age, stage, and season of their lives,” said Nancy Tobbe, executive director of the American Heart Association, Central Ohio. “By coming together and supporting the women in our community, we can make a lasting impact.”

The Go Red for Women luncheon is celebrating 20 years of raising awareness to cardiovascular health in women. (Courtesy/American Heart Association)
The Go Red for Women luncheon is celebrating 20 years of raising awareness to cardiovascular health in women. (Courtesy/American Heart Association)

The AHA is also encouraging everyone to learn CPR and how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) as sometimes that can be the difference of life and death. Other forms of support for the cause include wearing red, sharing support with family and friends, and posting a photo in red attire on social media, using hashtags #WearRedDay and #GoRedCbus.

For more resources, visit nbc4i.com, WearRedDay.org and cpr.heart.org.

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