Heart disease is the number one killer of American women and men, but itandrsquo;s a disease that in most cases can be prevented. Help BRMC kick off February as American Heart Month by joining us for National Wear Red Day® on Friday, February 5. BRMC is encouraging employees and the community to wear red, honoring those affected by heart disease and expressing their own commitment to a heart healthy lifestyle. Let's encourage others to protect their hearts, and share your photos with us on the BRMC Facebook page!

When increasing awareness for heart health, itandrsquo;s also important to know the risk factors for heart disease. Some risk factors you can control include:

• High blood pressure. This silent killer increases your risk for heart attack or stroke.
• Smoking. According to the American Heart Association, smoking makes you two to four times more likely to develop coronary heart disease.
• High cholesterol. The higher your cholesterol the greater your risk of coronary heart disease.
• Physical inactivity. Lack of physical exercise increases your risk of heart disease.
• Obesity or overweight. Excess body fat, especially around your waist, increases your risk of heart attack and stroke.
• Diabetes. Having diabetes, especially with uncontrolled blood sugar, increases your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Women also need to especially recognize the symptoms that accompany heart attacks. Those for women are often different from those experienced by men. While men are more likely to experience chest pain, symptoms that most often precede a heart attack in women include weakness, shortness of breath and unusual fatigue.

• Some of the common heart attack symptoms in women are as follows:
• Shortness of breath, not accompanied by chest pain
• Sweating
• Tightness in chest
• Sudden dizziness or loss of consciousness
• Feeling of heartburn or indigestion
• Stomach or abdominal pain
• Flu-like symptoms, cold sweats and nausea
• Unexplained weakness and fatigue
• Loss of appetite, general discomfort and a feeling of anxiety
• Pain in neck, lower jaw, shoulder and upper back
• Sense of impending doom

And don,t miss these BRMC heart health events scheduled in February:

Girlsandrsquo; Night Out: Heart to Heart
The Schliemann Center for Womenandrsquo;s Health Education is hosting ”Girlsandrsquo; Night Out: Heart to Heart" featuring cardiologist Dr. Michael J. Camp and cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Louis Elkins on Thursday, February 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Cardiovascular Associates of North Central Arkansas. This is a free event, and dinner will be provided. Space is limited, and reservations are required. To register, call the SCWHE today at (870) 508-2345, email Jaren Beavers, SCWHE Coordinator, at jbeavers@baxterregional.org, or click here to register online.

Tobacco Cessation Classes
When better to quit smoking than during American Heart Month? The next session of FREE tobacco cessation classes begins Monday, February 8 at the Peitz Cancer Support House. To register, call the PCSH at (870) 508-CARE (2273), email Melissa Hudson, PCSH Coordinator, at mhudson@baxterregional.org or click here to register online.

Heart Healthy Tips for Seniors
Heart disease is a major threat to senior health; however, it doesn't have to be an inevitable part of aging. At the Mruk Family Education Center on Aging on Tuesday, February 9 at 1 p.m., Jonny Harvey, Occupational Wellness Coordinator at BRMC, will share a variety of tips for preventing heart disease as we age. To register for this event, call the MFECOA (870) 508-3880, email Diahanne VanGulick, MFECOA Coordinator, at evangulick@baxterregional.org or click here to register online.

Listen to Your Heart
Do you know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack and/or stroke? At the Mruk Family Education Center on Aging on Monday, February 22 at 1 p.m., Kimberly Foster, RN, of the Cline Emergency Center, will share insights about identifying signs of a heart attack and stroke and when it's time to get to the emergency room. To register for this event, call the MFECOA at (870) 508-3880, email Diahanne VanGulick, MFECOA Coordinator, at evangulick@baxterregional.org or click here to register.

For more heart health information, visit the American Heart Association or The Heart Truth online.

Click here to download the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women Heart Health Guide or visit goredforwomen.org for more about women's heart health.

The Heart Truth and The Red Dress are registered trademarks of HHS. National Wear Red Day is a registered trademark of HHS and AHA.

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