National Wear Red Day to Fight Heart Disease is Friday, February 7

Illinois State Representative Jil Tracy joined in the fight against heart disease, the number one killer of Illinoisans, at a special "Go Red For Women" event at the Illinois State Capitol on Wednesday.

Tracy commented "Today I want to stress the importance of leading a heart-healthy lifestyle and knowing the risk factors of heart disease. Heart disease remains our number one health threat in Illinois, and we all need to take action to lead healthier lives. I am proud to support the work of the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women movement. Today, I Go Red for the people of Illinois."

Go Red For Women celebrates its 10^th birthday this February. The movement focuses on educating women on the risk factors of heart disease, the warning signs of a heart attack and how to live a healthier lifestyle by exercising regularly and eating healthy. You can show your support for Go Red For Women by wearing red on February 7^th, National Wear Red Day.

Rep. Jil Tracy suggested everyone, not just women, know the Signs of a Heart Attack.

• Chest Discomfort - this could be discomfort in the chest that lasts for several minutes, or goes away and comes back
• Shortness of Breath
• Pain in the arms, neck, jaw and/or back
• Women may also experience nausea

Know the Risk Factors of Heart Disease

• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• High cholesterol
• Lack of physical activity
• Not eating right
• Smoking

For more information on preventing heart disease, visit www.goredforwomen.org, or visit www.heart.org/centralil