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Go Red for Women Experience set for May 11

ardiovascular disease is of WFMZ-TV will serve as the Blood is taken out of a large vein particularly for women whose
the number one killer of event emcee. in the leg, oxygenated and placed symptoms are often different
than those for men. Many women
Laura Azzalina is the chair-
back into the body.
women, causing one in
Café C three women’s deaths woman for the 2018 Go Red for days. Ultimately, with support believe that the telltale sign of a
Cheryl was on ECMO for 23
Women Experience and says she
heart attack is extreme chest
each year or one woman every 80
from her team of doctors, nurses
is excited to bring her unique
pain, but that is not always the
seconds. It kills more women
and therapists, her lungs recov-
quality, knowledge of and pas-
case. Common heart attack
than all forms of cancer com-
Musikfest bined. Even more frightening, 90 sion for women's heart disease as ered and she was able to go off symptoms in women include:
the chair of the 10th anniversary
ECMO on Feb. 24, 2016. But her
■ Uncomfortable pressure,
percent of women have one of
battle wasn't over. “I had to learn
Go Red event.
squeezing, fullness or pain in the
more risk factors for developing
how to breathe on my own again
Event goers will hear Cheryl
center of the chest that lasts more
heart disease.
Snyder’s story and the impor-
and how to eat.” It took several
than a few minutes, or goes away
Women across the Lehigh
2016, Cheryl was a healthy,
gained her ability to walk and the
■ Pain or discomfort in one or
awareness about heart disease in
at Valley will gather to help raise tance of a flu shot. On Feb. 1, more weeks until Cheryl re- and comes back.
46-year-old Lehigh Valley-based
strength to care for herself.
both arms, the back, neck, jaw or
our community at the 2018
“April 5th, I finally returned
real estate agent. Little did she
11 Lehigh Valley Go Red for Wom- know, a simple cough was about home.” stomach.
en Experience, from 10:30 a.m.
■ Shortness of breath, with or
You may think “the flu’ is no
to 1:30 p.m. May 11 in the to change her life. big deal, but influenza impacted without chest discomfort.
May Musikfest Café in ArtsQuest ening by the hour. Thinking she every organ in Cheryl’s body. ■ Breaking out into a cold sweat
Cheryl’s cough was wors-
building, Bethlehem. The Go
■ Nausea or vomiting
Happily she’s back to normal, but
“just had the flu,’ she went home
Red for Women Experience is an
The first step toward better
annual event attracting hundreds to rest. Her breathing was la- after a 75-day fight for her life, ■ Lightheadedness
she’s never too busy to take a few
bored so her daughter drove her
of men and women who are to Lehigh Valley Hospital where minutes for her annual flu shot. heart health should be a visit
passionate about promoting it was confirmed she had Influen- woman, and man, differently and with your doctor to discuss your
Heart disease affects every
women’s heart health.
personal risk factors for heart
za A H1N1. The team also deter-
Event guests will enjoy a
disease, including family history,
mined she was in profound respi-
can take many forms such as an
no matter your age.
heart-healthy meal, educational
abnormal heart rhythm, called an
ratory failure and put a tube
presentations and speakers, a
Tickets for the Lehigh Valley
down her throat and into her
arrhythmia, a heart valve prob-
are $75 per person. For more
activities. The Morning Call will
a build-up of plaque in the walls
weakened lungs could no longer
announce the winner of its annu-
information about the Lehigh
of the arteries that may lead to a
oxygenate her blood, her heart
al Woman of Heart contest, hon-
Valley Go Red for Women Expe-
heart attack. Unfortunately, 64
started to fail. Her best chance
2018 EXPERIENCE silent auction, and other fun lungs. Days later, when her lem, or atherosclerosis, which is Go Red for Women Experience
rience or to purchase tickets, visit
oring a local heart disease sur-
for survival was ECMO (extra-
percent of women who die sud-
22, vivor, caregiver or health care corporeal membrane oxygen- denly from coronary heart dis- lehighvalleygored.heart.org or
ease had no previous symptoms.
professional. Inspirational per-
contact Dawn Fernandez at
ation). ECMO does all the work
APRIL sonality Rubi Nicholas will be for the diseased lungs and takes heart disease can be challenging, dawn.fernandez@heart.org or
Recognizing symptoms of
the workload off of the heart.
the keynote speaker. Eve Russo
484-245-6267.
SUNDAY, Thank you to Circle of Red
A very special group of wom-
CALL en are making a big difference in the health of the community by edgement on the web, in publica- ♥Laura Azzalina
providing a personal commit-
tions and at the Go Red for
♥Darlene Pors
♥Amy Nyberg
the fight against heart disease.
Women Experience.
ment of $1,000 or more to help
find a cure for heart disease.
♥Hope Pearson
The Circle of Red is a dynamic,
MORNING WOMEN committed and passionate group Circle of Red members receive Red: ♥Ashley Russo
Thank you to our Circle of
♥Laurie Siebert
of women who have the re-
special recognition for their
sources to significantly impact
contributions through acknowl-
♥Anne Baum
♥Dr. Deborah Sundlof
THE
OF Three heart health tips for women
SECTION FOR heart disease poses is a great first Rajeswaran, a noninvasive cardi- and prevent these conditions nancy, too.
Recognizing the threat that
ologist at Lehigh Valley Health
3. Discuss aspirin intake.
from developing, they can take
them for the serious threat they
Network’s LVPG Cardiology at
step for women who want to
The FDA notes that many
ADVERTISING RED avoid becoming one of the hun- its Cedar Crest campus. That diet are and do their best to manage physicians prescribe aspirin to
lower patients' risk of heart dis-
them. High blood pressure, dia-
dreds of thousands who lose their
is high in fruits, vegetables, heart
betes and high cholesterol can
healthy oils and lean meats and
ease, clot-related strokes and
lives to heart disease each year.
Here are three things women can
increase a woman's risk for heart
has been shown to reduce the risk
other problems related to cardio-
do to maintain heart health:
disease. Take medications as
vascular disease. However, there
of developing health conditions
1. Consume a heart-friendly
SPECIAL GO diet. like diabetes. directed, monitor blood sugar are health risks associated with
She recommended starting
levels if you have diabetes and
long-term aspirin use, and such
with the basics, including watch-
risks should be discussed with
Thanks to food labels, it's
routinely have your blood pres-
your doctor.
sure and cholesterol tested to
ing portion control and choosing
easier than ever for women to
“Women tend to be good at
ensure any preexisting conditions
consume heart-healthy diets.
an apple or grapes as a snack
When examining labels, look for
heart disease.
2. Take existing conditions
said.
foods that are low in sodium and rather than cookies. are not increasing your risk for taking care of other people,” she
sugar. When planning meals, seriously. “Women definitely need to “You have to take care of
avoid foods that are high in trans Certain conditions can in- get a yearly physical,” Raj- yourself before you take care of
fats. crease a woman's risk for heart eswaran said. Be sure to discuss other people. Women should set
“We recommend the Mediter- disease. While women may not with your doctor if you had any an example ... and not put their
2 ranean diet,” said Dr. Yasotha be able to turn back the clocks complications during a preg- health in the backseat.”