NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 28, 2009

St. Nicholas Hospital Supports National GO RED for Women Movement with Community-Wide Activities

Sheboygan, Wis. --Too few women realize that heart disease is the No. 1 killer among women in the United States. As a result, they may be taking little or no action to prevent it. The good news is that heart disease can largely be prevented. For that reason, St. Nicholas Hospital is supporting the Go Red for Women campaign by encouraging Sheboygan-area women to improve their heart health and take action to fight heart disease.

The goal of St. Nicholas Hospital and Go Red for Women is to raise awareness of the risks associated with heart disease. With one in three adult women in the United States suffering from a form of cardiovascular disease, this initiative recognizes the urgency of women's heart disease.

Cardiovascular diseases and stroke are the #1 cause of death in Wisconsin according to the American Heart Association. Statewide, 15,276 deaths (33.2% of all deaths) were caused by these diseases in 2006 (latest figures available).

"Supporting the Go Red for Women movement is important in raising awareness and encouraging women to take action – now," says Deborah A. Cortlandt, D.O., Coulis Cardiology and member of St. Nicholas Hospital Medical Staff and Physicians' Health Network.

"More than 42 million American women are living with one or more types of cardiovascular disease," said Cortlandt. "Yet, only one in five women realize that heart disease is their greatest health threat. If women do not know they are at risk, they are not likely to take preventative action, which puts them at even greater risk. The goal of Go Red is to not only educate women about their risk, but give them tools they need for making heart healthy choices," said Cortlandt.

Research shows that women who Go Red are more likely to make healthy choices. As a result of joining the Go Red movement:

• More than 40 percent have lost weight
• More than half have increased their exercise
• Six out of ten have changed their diet
• 53 percent have checked their cholesterol levels
• A third have investigated their heart-health family history or talked to their doctor about their personal heart risk

St. Nicholas Hospital and Go Red want women to do more than become aware, but to take the online Go Red Heart CheckUp at www.goredforwomen.org, and visit their healthcare provider. Knowing your personal risk for heart disease is the most important first step.

To stimulate heart disease awareness and help Sheboygan area women live heart healthy lifestyles, St. Nicholas Hospital is supporting Go Red for Women by organizing exciting community-wide activities during the month of February, which is also American Heart Month. These activities will take place in Sheboygan, Kohler, Sheboygan Falls, Plymouth and Elkhart Lake .

• February 2-6, 2009, Many of the St. Nicholas Hospital Corporate Partners will display heart healthy information in their company's kitchen and/or break areas.


• February 4-6, 2009, Area grocery stores will insert St. Nicholas Hospital supports Go Red heart healthy informational flyers in their grocery bags.


• February 6, 2009, is National Wear Red Day . Over 20 area restaurants are joining in the go red campaign by having their wait staff wear red, offering a special heart healthy menu item(s), displaying St. Nicholas Hospital supports go red heart healthy informational table tents and providing informational flyers for their customers to take home with them.


• February 12 & 24, 6-7 PM, St. Nicholas Hospital Dieticians will be available at Woodlake Market to answer questions and show the community how to look for and choose heart healthy products. Visitors to Woodlake Market will also be able to sample some favorites that are heart-healthy: chicken brats, grilled vegetable artisan pizza, dark chocolate and red wine. These events are free.

Heart disease, the No. 1 killer of women, does not discriminate; it affects women from all age groups, ethnicities, family histories and walks of life. St. Nicholas Hospital's support of Go Red for Women is an initiative to help mothers, sisters, daughters and friends-- become more aware of their heart risks and make heart healthy choices-- right here, in our own community.

About Go Red for Women
Since 2004, Go Red for Women has captured the energy, passion and intelligence of women to work collectively to wipe out heart disease-- the No. 1 killer of women. We want millions of women across America to take heart disease personally. Go Red for Women engages women and the men who love them to embrace the cause. Healthcare providers, celebrities and politicians also elevate the cause and spread the word about women and heart disease. For more information about Go Red for Women, please call 1-888-MY-HEART (1-888-694-3278) or visit GoRedForWomen.org. Go Red for Women is nationally sponsored by Macy's and Merck & Co., Inc.

About the American Heart Association
Founded in 1924, the American Heart Association today is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke. These diseases, America 's No. 1 and No. 3 killers, and all other cardiovascular diseases claim nearly 870,000 lives a year. In fiscal year 2006–07 the association invested more than $554 million in research, professional and public education, advocacy and community service programs to help all Americans live longer, healthier lives. To learn more, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit americanheart.org. TM Go Red trademark of AHA, Red Dress trademark of DHHS

About St. Nicholas Hospital
St. Nicholas Hospital is a non-profit hospital sponsored by the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis located at 3100 Superior Avenue, Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Their mission and vision is to provide family-centered, compassionate care without regard for race, creed, or ability to pay. This is achieved through the core values of respect, care, competence, and joy.

To learn more, visit www.stnicholashospital.org .

CONTACT: Xue Yang
Marketing Assistant
St. Nicholas Hospital
3100 Superior Avenue
Sheboygan , WI 53081
920-459-4739
xyang@sns.hshs.org

 

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