Embrace Your Heart Blog

HEART for Women Act Passes House

Good news!

The U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelminlgly to pass the HEART for Women Act. Now on to the Senate!! Four members of Wisconsin’s delegation to the U.S. House have co-sponsored the legislation, including: Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison; Ron Kind, D-LaCrosse; Steve Kagen, D-Appleton; and Gwen Moore, D-Milwaukee.

The Heart for Women Act takes a multi-pronged approach to improving prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart disease and stroke via: raise awareness among women and their health care providers of the prevalence of heart disease in women; provide gender and race-specific information for clinicians and researchers; and, improve screening for low-income women at risk for heart disease and stroke.

I traveled with a group of fellow Your The Cure Advocates to Washington, D.C. to help our legislators understand the importance of the HEART for Women Act, NIH and CDC funding and the FIT Kids Act. I invite you to get involved and join the Your The Cure Network. Our voices together can make a difference!

Please add your comments below.

Eliz Greene is a heart attack survivor, author and nationally known speaker on a mission to encourage women to recognize heart disease as their most serious health threat and provide down-to-earth strategies for active and healthy lives. Learn more about Eliz and the Embrace Your Heart Wellness Initiative at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com

Smoking: The Fast Track to a Heart Attack

Counting on estrogen to keep heart disease at bay?

Better think again!

A new study reveals women who smoke have heart attacks more than a decade earlier than those who don't smoke.

Most women think estrogen protects them from a heart attack until very late in life, but a study presented to the European Society of Cardiology, indicates smoking takes away the estrogen advantage.  "Smoking might erase the natural advantage that women have," said Dr. Robert Harrington, a professor of medicine at Duke University and spokesman for the American College of Cardiology.

Which means if you combine smoking with any other risk factor and you should be very concerned.

• Researchers found women who smoke have heart attacks 12 to 15 years earlier than women who don’t smoke.
• Women who live or work with smokers are also at risk for earlier heart attacks.
• In addition, if women compound smoking by taking hormone based birth control (the pill, patch, or ring) their risk for heart attack and stroke increases exponentially.

What can you do?

If you smoke, quit. The benefits begin the first day you quit -- find resources to help you quit here.

Support Smoking Bans: Keeping indoor air free of smoke works. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine reported a significant reduction in Emergency Room visits for chest pain after a smoking ban is put in place.

If you live in Wisconsin please join my family in support of the Breathe Free Wisconsin Act. Visit MySmokeFreeStory.com and find out how you can help. (In fact, if you are driving between Madison and Milwaukee during the week of September 15, 2008 -- check out the girls and I on a billboard -- yep, I said billboard, near the Johnson Creek exit) Here's a preview:

If you live elsewhere join the efforts of Tobacco Free Kids and the American Heart Association’s You’re the Cure Network.

Talk with your doctor.  Be aware of your risk factors and how your habits and medication affect your likelihood of heart disease.

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death. Live longer and healthier by breathing free everyday.

Please add your suggestions or comments below!

Eliz Greene is a heart attack survivor, author and nationally known speaker on a mission to encourage women to recognize heart disease as their most serious health threat and provide down-to-earth strategies for active and healthy lives.  Learn more about Eliz and the Embrace Your Heart Wellness Initiative at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com

Lance Armstrong Supports Breathe Free Wisconsin Act

Guess who is coming to Madison to help Wisconsin pass a statewide clean-indoor air act?

YES!  Lance Armstong!!!

“Smoking is the leading avoidable cause of cancer,” said Lance Armstrong, Founder and Chairman of the Lance Armstrong Foundation. “That’s why the Breathe Free Wisconsin Act is so important to the people of this great state.  I urge Wisconsin legislators to support the health of their voters and pass this life-saving bill.” 

While a majority of Wisconsin citizens support the Breathe Free Wisconsin Act, and Governor Doyle has been a strong supporter, the legislature has yet to send him a bill to sign.

On the Assembly side, a committee hearing tomorrow should be enough to send the bill to the floor for a vote.  However, even though the  Senate  Committee approved the bill, and there are enough votes to pass it, the Senate bill is being held hostage by Majority Leader Russ Decker, D-Weston.

Decker will not allow the bill to go to the floor for a vote unless it is changed to allow unacceptable compromises that would roll back local smoke-free ordinances. 

It is time to send a clear message to our legislators.  We want the Breathe Free Wisconsin Act passed before they end this session.

Please join me, and Lance, at the

Citizens for Smoke Free Air Rally
Tuesday, March 4th
10:30 - 12:00 Registration, Training & Box Lunch Pick up               
12:00pm-1:00 Rally at the Monona Terrace, One John Nolan Drive, Madison
1:00 - 3:00 Legislative Office Visits

Need a lift?  Free buses will depart from: LaCrosse, Eau Claire, Green Bay, Wausau & Milwaukee

To RSVP for the event and to reserve your free lunch, contact
Martha at (262) 523-5527 / e-mail [email protected]
or register on the web at www.itstimewisconsin.org

I hope to see you there!

Help Us Make A Difference

Celebrate Heart Month with a donation in honor of someone you love to the American Heart Association.

Our family is participating in Jump Rope for Heart at the girls' school.  Grace and Callie say it best...

The American Heart Association makes a difference everyday in the fight against heart disease.  You may have noticed changes in school lunches, the types of foods sold on campus and even what is in "kid" foods at the grocery store.  These changes are due to the work the AHA continues to do as part of the Collalition for a Healthier Generation.

Please help us make a difference by making a donation.  Our event is February 19th.  Thanks!

My Smoke Free Story

Wisconsin is in a fight for clean indoor air and our family is on the front lines.  Please visit MySmokeFreeStory.com to see the video about our second-hand smoke story, the stories of others and join the efforts to make our state the next to be smoke-free.

Thanks!

Please add your suggestions or comments below!

Eliz Greene is a heart attack survivor, author and nationally known speaker on a mission to encourage women to recognize heart disease as their most serious health threat and provide down-to-earth strategies for active and healthy lives.  Learn more about Eliz and the Embrace Your Heart Wellness Initiative at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com

Mmm..Mmm...Good, Campbells Goes Red!

                  

What a great combination -- Good food and a good cause!

Campbells is putting it's heart and soul into helping women lead healthier lives.

As part of their mission to nourish people's lives everywhere, every day, Campbell continues to offer a growing variety of heart-healthy products. In addition, They've pledged $1.8 million over 3 years to help the American Heart Association raise awareness about how heart disease affects women.

                  

 

I encourage everyone to visit the Campbells adDress Your Heart website and "Click with Your Heart"  for each click,  they're donating $1 to the Go Red For Women movement.

Forward this to friends and encourage them to click as well!

Lets all help the Go Red cause!

Please add your suggestions or comments below!

Eliz Greene is a heart attack survivor, author and nationally known speaker on a mission to encourage women to recognize heart disease as their most serious health threat and provide down-to-earth strategies for active and healthy lives.  Learn more about Eliz and the Embrace Your Heart Wellness Initiative at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com

                                  

Wear Red Day!

Happy National Wear Red Day!

As we officially kick off Heart Month, I hope you remembered to wear red and ask the women you cherish to take care of their hearts.

Many cities and landmarks, including the Washington Monument and Niagra Falls, are going red as well.  Check out these photos.

Make February a heart healthy month with tips for celebration in my article at MyHealthyHeartInfo.com

Have a great Heart Month!

Congratulations American Heart Association

Woo Hoo American Heart Association!

The AHA's mission to reduce cardiovascular deaths by 25% by the year 2010 seemed huge.  But this week the AHA announced they DID IT!

Deaths due to heart attacks and stroke have been steadily decreasing since 1999 -- Great News!

Much of the decline is due to quicker diagnosis and treatment.

So what does this mean to you?

To be one of the survivors you must put yourself in the position to receive quality treatment immediately.  Women often do not receive the same treatment as men presenting with the same symptoms.  Get more details on how to take charge in the ER.

Avoid a heart attack or stroke by developing an active lifestyle, eating well, and managing your stress .  Even though treatments are improving, don't abuse your body and then count on medical science to save your life.

Get involved.  While overall deaths are decreasing, women's survival rates are not improving.  Help overcome the treatment, diagnosis, prevention and education disparity by joining the AHA's efforts to pass the HEART for Women Act.

Protect the children. The alarming trend in childhood obesity will offset any gains in treatments in the future.  We could well see the death rates slip backwards as our sickest generation ages.  Get involved in your community.

The future looks bright if we all get involved on a personal and community level.

Please add your suggestions or comments below!

Eliz Greene is a heart attack survivor, author and nationally known speaker on a mission to encourage women to recognize heart disease as their most serious health threat and provide down-to-earth strategies for active and healthy lives.  Learn more about Eliz and the Embrace Your Heart Wellness Initiative at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com

Girl Scouts Go Red!

Talk about Community Impact!  Check out the Go Red Girl Scouts Patch Program developed by the UW Health Heart and Vascular Care and the American Heart Association!

 

As a Girl Scout leader, I can't wait to participate in the program which seeks to bring Girl Scouts and the women they love together to raise awareness of the danger of heart disease.

 

The mission for the Go Red Girl Scouts Patch Program is to help girls love their hearts, make healthier choices and empower women they love to do the same.   TNT's Dramatic Differences is currently featuring the volunteer who spear-headed the project, Alaina Wendlandt, and the Go Red Girl Scout Patch Program.  I was delighted to represent the American Heart Association in the piece.

Please add your suggestions or comments below!

Eliz Greene is a heart attack survivor, author and nationally known speaker on a mission to encourage women to recognize heart disease as their most serious health threat and provide down-to-earth strategies for active and healthy lives.  Learn more about Eliz and the Embrace Your Heart Wellness Initiative at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com

My Girls: The Advocates

Callie, Governor Doyle, Gracie and Eliz

Having to leave a birthday party before the cake is pretty traumatic for  six-year-olds, but last December that is exactly what happened to my daughters Gracie and Callie.  Even though the owner of the bowling alley had assured me it was safe to bring Callie, who has asthma, because the facility was “smoke-free” during the day, Callie began having breathing problems soon after the party began because people were smoking in the bar.

Relying on the faulty “magic half-wall” theory of smoke control, the bowling alley's definition of “smoke-free” meant my girls had to leave or risk significant illness.  As it was, Callie was sick for three days.

“It's not fair.  People shouldn't smoke around kids.”  Callie cried in the car.

“Why do we have to leave?  They should have to leave.”  Grace argued.

They were right.  It isn't fair.  We need a clear definition of smoke-free in Wisconsin.  I explained part of my work as the Chair of the American Heart Association Wisconsin State Advocacy Committee is to make sure everyone can enjoy restaurants and bowling alleys without having to worry about smoke.  “Can we go next time?  I want to tell someone about leaving before the cake!”  Grace said.

Since then, both girls have told anyone who will listen about why we need to keep cigarette smoke away from children – even Governor Doyle.

Our whole family is working to make a difference.  You are never too young to learn about standing up for what you believe.  I am delighted the American Heart Association has given my husband, Clay, and me the opportunity to show our girls the importance of advocacy!

There are smoke-free initiatives all over the country.  To get involved in your area join the American Heart Association's You're the Cure Network.

Eliz Greene is a heart attack survivor, author and nationally known speaker on a mission to encourage women to recognize heart disease as their most serious health threat and provide down-to-earth strategies for active and healthy lives.  Learn more about Eliz and the Embrace Your Heart Wellness Initiative at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com