Women (and men) Go Red for heart health

CROWN POINT | Red was the color of the day as 275 men and women gathered for the Crown Point Go Red luncheon Friday in support of the American Heart Association's National Wear Red Day.

Everything from the speeches to the menu focused on reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease — the No. 1 killer of women.

Fran Taylor, a Methodist Hospitals board member, was dressed in red from head to toe "to support this important event and highlight the importance of heart disease and what we need to do to address this issue," she said.

Methodist Hospitals offered free health screenings and unveiled its 2012 Go Red BetterU Challenge, a free 12-week online fitness and nutrition program designed to enhance the heart health of women. Enroll at www.methodisthospitals.org.

"It's good to inform and educate women about heart disease and get them empowered for better health," said Dr. Winifred Oniah, who manned an Ask the Doctor table with Methodist colleague Dr. Jerry Kuna.

"Signs of a heart attack in women may not be typical," added Kuna. "It could feel like heartburn."

Connie Adams, cardiovascular clinical nurse specialist at Methodist Hospitals, offered a keynote address on the warning signs and risk factors for heart disease, along with Pearls of Heart Wisdom that include a better diet, stress reduction, exercise and no smoking.

Cynthia Williams, who suffered a heart attack at 40, urged women to listen to their bodies and "act on the signs and symptoms" they reveal.