Go Red Campaign expanded to Harrison, Nicholas and Pendleton Counties

February is American Heart Month, and the Harrison County Go Red for Women Committee and Harrison Memorial Hospital is doing its part to raise awareness of heart disease in women. This year marks the 19th anniversary of the national heart disease awareness campaign and HMH will expand to Harrison, Nicholas and Pendleton Counties.

Why bring about heart disease awareness to our communities? Here are statistics:

• Cardiovascular disease kills more women than all forms of cancer combined and yet only 44% of women recognize that cardiovascular disease is their greatest health threat. 
• 51.9% of high blood pressure deaths, otherwise known as hypertension or the “silent killer,” are in women.  
•  Nearly 45% of women ages 20+ are living with some form of cardiovascular disease. 

The campaign continues to urge women to know the risk factors: smoking, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, overweight, physical inactivity, diabetes, family history and age (for women 55 and older). Having more than one risk factor increases your chances of developing heart disease. Women are encouraged to have a heart disease risk assessment as early as age 20. 

Starting February 1, the committee is sponsoring Paint the Town Red. All businesses in Harrison, Nicholas and Pendleton counties are encouraged to display red in windows or on buildings during the month. A contest will be sponsored to promote the event. 

In addition, throughout the month, HMH will feature social media posts about heart disease and will add a heart disease risk assessment to the website. 

Friday, February 2, is National Wear Red Day. HMH encourages Harrison, Nicholas and Pendleton County citizens to wear red. 

The committee is also sponsoring Wear Red to School Day for all counties on February 2.  

In addition, Sunday, February 11 will be Wear Red to Church Day to promote heart disease awareness in Harrison, Nicholas and Pendleton counties. The committee would like to use church pictures to promote at social media and future events. Please send your pictures to lroark@hmhosp.org. 

Listen to the WCYN (1400 AM) Coffee Break show on Thursday, February 21, Dr. Yaz Daaboul will be the guest. 

In each county, HMH along with community partners will host a Go Red for Heart Disease Awareness Reception. Each event will offer a free meal, a gift and door prizes.

The first one will be on Thursday, February 8 at the Pendleton County Extension Office. The doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Dinner will be at 6:00 p.m. The speaker will be Dr. Yaz Daaboul, HMH Cardiologist and will begin at 6:15 p.m. In addition, cardiac risk assessments, stroke risk screenings and hands-only CPR demonstrations will be provided by HMH nursing staff members. The sponsors in Pendleton County will be HMH, UK Gill Heart and Vascular Institute Network, Pendleton County Extension Services and Three Rivers Health Department.

The next event will be on Monday, February 12 to host the Nicholas County Go Red for Heart Disease Event at the Nicholas County Livestock Barn. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Dinner will be at 6:00 p.m. The speaker will be Dr. Yaz Daaboul, HMH Cardiologist and will begin at 6:15 p.m. In addition, cardiac risk assessments, stroke risk screenings and hands-only CPR demonstrations will be provided by HMH nursing staff members. The sponsors in Nicholas County will be HMH, UK Gill Heart and Vascular Institute Network, Nicholas County Extension Services and Wedco District Health.

On Monday, February 19, everyone is encouraged to wear red and attend the annual Go Red for Heart Disease Awareness Reception at the Harrison County Extension Office. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., with a meal served at 5:45 p.m. HMH Cardiologist, Dr. Yaz Daaboul, will be the featured speaker at 6:00 p.m. Informational booths will be available in regards to cardiac services, cardiac diet and smoking cessation. 

There will be giveaways, door prizes and much more! The first 125 attendees receive a free gift. Door prizes will also be available.In addition, cardiac risk assessments, stroke risk screenings and hands-only CPR demonstrations will be provided by HMH nursing staff members. And, the Bluegrass Lions Diabetes Project will offer diabetic screenings, which includes A1C testing. 

Join us in promoting heart disease awareness in each of our communities.