Club Red, a heart health initiative for women sponsored by the University’s Heart Center, is hosting activities this February in recognition of Heart Disease Awareness Month. Club Red is an online community with more than 6,000 members that aims to increase awareness about the factors and symptoms of heart disease.
The organization kicked off this month’s activities Friday with a free hula hooping class called “Hoop for your Heart” at the Aquatic and Fitness Center. Club Red will also host a panel discussion and Zumba class at the Paramount theatre Feb. 28, both of which are free and open to the public, Medical Center spokesperson Meghan Bradley said in an email.
Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. The condition occurs when plaque builds up in the vessels connected to the heart, impeding blood flow. When left untreated, the disease can eventually cause angina, heart failure and arrhythmias, irregular heart beats, or a heart attack. Symptoms of heart disease include chest pain or discomfort, feeling weak or faint and shortness of breath. If diagnosed early, however, heart disease is both controllable and preventable.
Club Red works year-round to encourage women to maintain a healthy diet and weight by exercising, limiting alcohol use, avoiding smoking and monitoring blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
To help women address the last two factors, the organization is spearheading a “Know Your Numbers” campaign, encouraging women to know their cholesterol, blood pressure and body mass index.
“Working with a primary care provider or cardiologist to obtain these numbers is the first step in understanding one’s risk for heart disease,” Bradley said.
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