Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the U.S., taking the life of one in three women -- almost one woman every minute. More women die of heart disease than the next four causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer, meaning everybody knows someone who is battling this disease. But no one should have to fight heart disease alone.
That’s why the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women® is helping women connect with one another with a free program that gives women the ability to find the emotional support they need to survive a heart disease diagnosis, care for a loved one with heart disease or work to prevent heart disease.
Heart Match is an easy-to-use, online program that connects women with similar profiles and allows them choose to build their one-on-one mentor/mentee relationship in the way they prefer. It is free and accessible 24/7 at http://www.goredforwomen.org/heartmatch.
“Having the American Heart Association build this network will help patients know they are not the only ones with this particular set of cardiovascular circumstances,” explains Prerana Manohar, MD, FACC, FACP, FRCPC of the Heart+Wellness Institute. “In some cases, having a willing listener can help with depression and stress, which are both barriers to healing. HeartMatch also overcomes geographical barriers, which can leave some cardiac patients feeling isolated. It can be a vicious cycle and this program can help.”
Heart attack survivor Stephanie Chan agrees.
“When I connected with Go Red For Women, I met wonderful ladies who have become my dear friends,” she says. “I’d kept my feelings about my treatment, procedure and recovery to myself for so long that being able to talk with someone who understands what I went through allowed me to heal in ways I didn’t realize were possible.”
The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke -- America’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers. They team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases.
Want to be a do-gooder? Get involved. Here’s how:
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more about the American Heart Association – West Michigan
Source: Dr. Prerana Manohar, Heart + Wellness Institute; Stephanie Chan, American Heart Association
Writer: Jennifer Wilson, Do Good Editor
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