TITLE
Recommendation to respectfully request City Attorney to draft a resolution declaring Friday, February 1, 2008, "Go Red for Women Day" in support of the American Heart Association and its campaign to reduce heart disease and stroke among women of all ages and backgrounds; and
Request City Manager to notify City employees about participating in "Go Red for Women Day" and provide information from the American Heart Association about how to take positive actions to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
DISCUSSION
Nationwide, heart disease and strokes are the NO.1 & 3 leading killers of women, claiming the lives of nearly 500,000 every year. According to the American Heart Association, that is more than the next five causes of death in women combined. As a result, AHA hopes to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke in women by at least 25% by 2010 with campaigns such as Go Red for Women Day that encourage women to learn more about the disease, get check-ups, exercise regularly and embrace a healthy diet.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) includes diseases of the heart and blood vessels. It is typically a process that begins in childhood and involves a gradual buildup of plaque inside your arteries. Plaque contains fat, cholesterol and other substances, and can grow large enough to significantly reduce blood flow through an artery. Most of the damage occurs when a plaque becomes fragile and ruptures.
Plaques that rupture can cause blood clots to form. These clots can block blood flow at the site of the rupture or can break off and travel through the artery to another part of the body. If either happens and blocks an artery that feeds the heart or brain, it causes a heart attack or stroke. Strokes can cause paralysis, affect language and vision, and cause other problems. Seeking early treatment can minimize the potentially devastating effects of a heart attack or stroke, but to receive them, a person must recognize the warning signs and act ...
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