News

To kick off this year's New Hampshire Go Red for Women campaign, the operating affiliates of Exeter Health Resources in Exeter and the American Heart Association are hosting a special Go Red For Women tea at the Exeter Inn on Tuesday, September 24.

The American Heart Association's Go Red For Women campaign provides women with information on cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in women over age 20. In fact, cardiovascular disease kills about 460,000 each year, which is more deaths than the next five causes of death combined–including all forms of cancer.

"Heart disease kills one woman every minute, but we can change this statistic by making the right choices for our hearts," said Susan Burns-Tisdale, senior vice president of clinical operations at Exeter Hospital. "We hope to make a difference in the lives of women in the communities we serve by helping them learn how to improve their heart health and live a longer life."

This is the second year that the operating affiliates of Exeter Health Resources have assumed a sponsorship role in the campaign. Last year, Exeter Hospital served as a health screening sponsor and took part in the annual Go Red For Women® Luncheon at the Radisson Hotel in Manchester. This year's luncheon in Manchester is planned for November 10.

The AHA launched the Go Red campaign in 2004 to increase awareness of cardiovascular disease among women. At that time, only 13 percent of women recognized that cardiovascular disease was the leading cause of death in women at that time. In 2007, just three years after it began, 58 percent of women recognized the dangers of cardiovascular disease.

More than 40 percent of the women who have been a part of the Go Red For Women Campaign have lost weight, while more than half have increased their level of exercise. Six out of 10 women have changed their diets as a result of the campaign, while 53 percent have opted to have their cholesterol level checked. One third of the women who have taken part in the campaign have investigated their family's history of heart disease or talked to their doctors about their personal heart risks.

"One in three women has some form of cardiovascular disease, but this disease is largely preventable," Burns-Tisdale said. "We can turn our personal choices into life-saving actions. In addition to diet and exercise, women should schedule a doctor's appointment every year, including a complete blood screen."

Resources and information are available at Exeterhospital.com or GoRedForWomen.org where people can choose to take the Go Red Heart Check-Up to find out their 10-year risk of heart disease or stroke.

To register for upcoming events, contact Kate Pendergast at (603) 518-1554.