"Go Red for Women" with Jo Zimmerman

As we previously noted here, this Friday (February 6th) is “Go Red for Women Day,” an event to raise awareness about heart disease, the number one cause of death among women.

To mark the event, we're asking all students, faculty and staff to wear RED this Friday and meet at 12:30 on the bottom floor of the SPH building near the large black SPH banner.

Jo Zimmerman, a graduate kinesiology student, is organizing the event. The Healthy Turtle talked with Jo about the “Go Red for Women” campaign and why raising awareness about women’s heart health is important.

Healthy Turtle: How did you get involved with Go Red for Women?

Jo Zimmerman: I have been a member of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) since 1996, and I also hold their Health/Fitness Specialist certification. When I attend the ACSM annual meeting, I always see the American Heart Association (AHA) booth, as the two groups share many common interests.

Around 10 years ago, the AHA began promoting "Go Red for Women" in concert with new research showing that heart disease was the #1 killer of women, just like for men. Women, however, seemed to have slightly different symptoms than men, delayed getting care, did not benefit from treatment, and were often diagnosed in more severe stages of heart disease. I was in the health club business at the time, so I had my whole club participate with exercise and nutrition seminars, walking campaigns, stress management classes, and blood pressure screenings.

HT: Why is this cause important?

Zimmerman: This cause is important as a public health issue because roughly half of us are women, and all of us have a mom. While many women work outside the home these days, women still remain the primary caretakers for children and aging parents. They often forsake their own health as a result. Heart disease can start as a silent process like high blood pressure, but with regular, low-cost or even free health screenings, many women could manage their risks and improve their health.

This cause is important to me on a personal level because on my mother's side of the family, every woman has (or has died from) heart disease, with symptoms starting around age 45. I may not be able to avoid my genes forever, but by raising awareness and reducing risks I might delay or reduce the effects for many years. So can women, and men, like me.

I've brought this idea to SPH for the awareness and promotion part of the campaign. I have no intention to raise money or enroll folks in a new program. This is just me, raising awareness, reducing risks, having fun, and remembering my mom.

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For more information about Go Red For Women, visit their web site at http://www.goredforwomen.org/. To learn more about heart disease, potential risks, and other important pieces of information, visit the American Heart Association Web site at http://www.heart.org/

Thanks to Jo Zimmerman for her story. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow at the event.