Join the Peoria City/County Health Department in wearing red on the first Friday of February, National Wear Red Day, to help raise awareness about heart disease in women. Make health your best accessory!

Heart disease is the number one killer of women. It can begin early, even in the teen years. A woman's risk for heart disease rises between the ages of 40 and 60. No matter how old you are, you can take steps to lower your risk for heart disease! Start by planning heart healthy activities during the month of February. But don't stop there-stay healthy and active all year long!

Get physical activity and be active for at least 2½ hours a week. Include activities that raise your breathing and heart rates and that strengthen your muscles. Remember, you don’t have to get physical activity all at once. Spread activity throughout the week or into smaller chunks of time during the day.

Eat healthy and eat a variety of fruits and vegetables every day. Limit foods and drinks high in calories, sugar, salt, fat, and alcohol content. Choose healthy snacks.

Be smoke-free and avoid secondhand smoke (inhaling other people’s smoke causes health problems similar to those of smokers). Quitting smoking has immediate and long-term benefits. If you think you’re ready to quit, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW. 

Know the Signs and major symptoms of a heart attack:

• Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back.
• Unusual or unexplained fatigue.
• Feeling weak, light-headed, faint, nauseated, or sudden dizziness.
• Chest pain or discomfort.
• Pain or discomfort in arms or shoulder. Upper body discomfort.
• Shortness of breath.
• Break out in a cold sweat.

If you think that you or someone you know is having a heart attack, you should call 9–1–1 immediately. Make the call. Don't miss a beat!

For more information on public health issues, visit our website at www.pcchd.org or call us at 679-6131.