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Every Woman Matters February Press Release Feb. 1-29, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
State Contact: Tracey Bonneau, Marketing Coordinator Every Woman Matters 402-471-2922 Local contact: Val Tvrdy, RN, Every Woman Matters Outreach Worker Four Corners Health Department 2101 N. Lincoln Avenue York, Nebraska 68467 402-362-2621/877-337-3573
Remind the Women You Love: February is National Heart Month LINCOLN—In Nebraska, as well as nationwide, cardiovascular disease is the #1 killer of women, accounting for one out of every two deaths among women ages 40 and over. In fact, every year cardiovascular disease claims the lives of more American women than the next 14 causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer. Even in cases where women survive their first heart attack, the resulting disabilities usually lead to a significant loss of life: 38 percent of women die within less than one year after having a recognized heart attack, according to the American Heart Association. “The numbers for cardiovascular disease in Nebraska women are drastically and dangerously high,” says Val Tvrdy, Public Health Nurse and local outreach worker for Every Woman Matters, a program that makes health care more accessible for women ages 40 through 64. “More tragic, however, is the fact that these numbers can be significantly lowered if women were simply more aware of the risks, the warning signs, and the simple lifestyle changes that could improve and even save their lives. The soaring statistics suggest that the message still isn’t reaching enough of the women in our state.” According to Tvrdy, the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular disease can all be lowered by making a few lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, controlling high blood pressure, reducing LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, moderating alcohol intake, reducing excess weight or maintaining a healthy weight, exercising 30 minutes a day at least three times a week, and finding ways to manage stress. “By watching what you eat and exercising more, you not only decrease your chances of having a heart attack or stroke, you improve the way you feel every day, increasing your quality of life overall,” Tvrdy says. Every Woman Matters (EWM) provides annual health exams to women over 40 to help find diseases early, when they can be treated best. As a program of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, EWM offers annual exams and personalized health information and support to women between the ages of 40 and 64 with limited or no health insurance and a low to medium income. Services are available in more than 600 clinics. EWM phone number toll free, 1-800-532-2227. To contact the local outreach worker call Val Tvrdy at Four Corners Health Department, 1-877-337-3573.
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