Proclamation Issued For Go Red For Women Day

Utica, NY (WIBX) - During a breakfast event to kick off the national Go Red For Women Day movement, County Executive Anthony Picente, Jr. issued a proclamation highlighting the importance of this day.

The Go Red For Women Corporate Breakfast event at Hart's Hill Inn in Whitesboro is in line with the movement that aims to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease.

Go Red For Women Day started in 2004 to raise awareness about heart disease and its negative impact on women. According to the American Heart Association, the organization behind the campaign, cardiovascular disease is the leading killer of women and this day is designed to help them know their risk factors.

Andrea MacDiarmid, Corporate Events Coordinator for the American Heart Association in Utica said this day is being marked with several other events. She said, "There are several companies and employers across the community that have encouraged their employees to wear red today to show their support. And also, as a fundraiser to purchase the red dress pin." She said many people will be wearing red and the pin to mark the day.

MacDiarmid said anyone can take part by taking pictures of the red items they're wearing and submit them to her at Andrea.MacDiarmid@heart.org. The photos will be displaced on the group's website including on Facebook.

MacDiarmid said one in three women has some sort of cardiovascular disease and it kills more than 420,000 people every year. She says this day is to get women to know their risk factors to prevent the spread of heart disease. "We find that this is another day to raise awareness to get women out there to get to know their risk factors and to take the initiative to talk to their Doctors and see what their risks are and hopefully we can help safe lives today."

Some of the risk factors MacDiarmid listed include:

• Uncomfortable pressure, fullness or squeezing or pain in the center of the chest
• Pain spreading to your shoulders, neck, arms
• Tight pressure in the jaw
• Any chest discovered, anxiety, nervousness, increased heart rate

According to officials at the AHA, any of these symptoms can be signs of heart disease and, or a heart attack and immediate action should be taken like calling 911 or making an appointment for a medical check up. For more information contact the organization at 1-877-RED-DAY7.