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St. Joseph’s ‘goes red for women’

Submitted photo St. Joseph’s Hospital in Buckhannon employees recognize the American Heart Association’s ‘Go Red for Women’ day by wearing red on Friday to help build awareness of heart disease in women.

BUCKHANNON — St. Joseph’s Hospital in Buckhannon recognized American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” day by wearing red on Friday to help build awareness of heart disease in women.

Awareness that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women has increased over the past years. While one in 31 American women dies of breast cancer, about one in three will die from cardiovascular disease this year, according to the American Heart Association.

Since 1984, more women than men have died from heart disease.

However, most women fail to make the connection between heart disease risk factors and their personal risk of developing the disease.

The staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital, along with cardiologist Dr. Yaser Kalash, hope to bring awareness to this disease and encourage women to take steps to prevent it.

Two of the major causes are high cholesterol and high blood pressure, health officials say.

Regular checkups can help to monitor these risk factors. By making choices such as exercising, quitting smoking and eating healthier, 80 percent of cardiac events in women may be prevented.

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