A sea of red filled the room at Crest Hollow Country Club for the Go Red for Women Luncheon. Survivors, doctors and Long Island men and women showed their support for the American Heart Association’s national movement to end heart disease in women.

Teresa Evans, Event Chairperson for the 17th Annual Go Red for Women Luncheon, turned pain into purpose after losing her father and aunt due to heart disease. Ginger Zimmerman, a motivational speaker and survivor of two heart transplants, advocated for women to listen to their body. Zimmerman said, “don’t worry about what someone is going to think, do what is best for you, you’re the one who has to make the decision and live with the consequences.” Choose a doctor who you trust that listens to you and understands your obstacles. Also, consider a doctor that encourages Integrated Medicine, a therapeutic approach to treating the whole person- body, mind and spirit to achieve optimal health and healing.

Several panels educated attendees about that latest finding in heart health. Research has shown there is an important tie between heart and brain health. “If it is good for the heart, then it is good for the brain,” said Dr. Richard Libman, a Neurologist at Northwell Health. Dr. Libman discussed how dementia is a general term for a deterioration in mental function and thinking that results in impairment in daily life. Alzheimer’s and stroke are the top two causes of dementia. Some prevention strategies include following the Life Simple 7. Number one on that list is checking your blood pressure. Normal blood pressure is now considered less than 120/80. Since this new benchmark, now 1 out of 2 people have high blood pressure or hypertension.

Dr. Libman also discussed signs of a stroke and the importance of getting help immediately. Did you know that a stroke can kill 1.9 million brain cells per minute? TPA (Tissue plasminogen activator), a clot removing drug, can now be given up to 4 ½ hour after a stroke, but timeliness is still vital. Catheters are also being threaded through an artery in the groin up to the brain to remove blood clots. Go Red supports the National Institute of Health Funding (NIH), the primary agency conducting trials and research to find treatments and cures for heart disease.

Go Red for Women is empowering women to live healthy lives since 80 percent of deaths from heart disease can be prevented. “Every small thing you do matters,” said Dr. Stacey Rosen, Vice President of Women’s Health for the Katz Institute for Women’s Health. Simple things like making mindful choices, saying no to things when you are stressed and avoiding the dirty dozen all help lower the risk of heart disease.

For more information about heart health or if you are interested in making a donation check out  GoReDForWomen.org

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