Go Red: The Story Behind the Color

Go Red: The Story Behind the Color
February 6, 2015

It wasn’t until after I was faced with the diagnosis of a scary heart condition that I truly learned about what exactly going red meant. I wanted to inform myself not only about my problem, but also how to have a healthy heart.

For those of you who do not know, I was diagnosed with Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome (a heart arrhythmia that can send you into tachycardia) back in 2006 and underwent a successful ablation later that year. While I have been able to put my ordeal behind me, I have not lost sight of the greater importance of spreading the message of heart health.

Over the years I have had friends and strangers tell me that reading my blogs has helped them to cope with facing the same struggles and realizing that they would be okay. People have also told me that my story inspired them to get a EKG to make sure their heart was in proper rhythm. So, I want to continue to share information with everyone because we are all in this thing called life together–and I want all of you to live healthy and successful lives.

Go Red

Going red (or #GoRed) is a campaign from the American Heart Association that is dedicated to bringing awareness to the fact that heart disease kills 1 in 3 women BUT is 80% preventable.

I know that we all have women in our lives that we cherish and do not want to see them go through something so ugly. Informing ourselves can create a better plan for combating the disease ourselves and for sharing the details with our loved ones and friends. We have the power to make the change.

I don’t know about you, but I do not want to be a statistic, especially with something that is preventable.

Quick Facts from Go Red For Women:
“Since the first National Wear Red Day in 2003, we’ve made tremendous strides in the fight against heart disease and stroke in women. Through research and education to healthy lifestyle changes, we’re proud that:

– Nearly 90% have made at least one healthy behavior change.
– More than one-third has lost weight.
– More than 50% have increased their exercise.
– 6 out of 10 have changed their diets.
– More than 40% have checked their cholesterol levels.
– One third has talked with their doctors about developing heart health plans.
– Today, nearly 300 fewer women die from heart disease and stroke each day
– Death in women has decreased by more than 30 percent over the past 10 years.”

I’m super stoked that some of my friends have helped me out with spreading the message today. Whether it be clothing, accessories or makeup–they are super awesome! If you wore red too and you are not included below… you should have sent me a photo! :o)

@RileyNixon
@ChadGreenMB
Riley - Go Red
Chad - Go Red

Last but not least, I celebrated the day by going red with a shirt, a Go Red Brighton necklace, a Swarovski Little Red Dress pin and the ultimate classic: MAC Red lipstick.

Disclaimer: Taking selfies early in the morning produces some pretty authentic expressions.

Megan - Go Red

If you did not participate in the national Go Red day this year, you can still bring awareness to the cause by wearing red each Friday in February.

A BIG thank YOU to whomever takes the time to read this. We have to make strides one person at a time.

<3

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