Feb. 3 is "Wear Red Day"

By Deb Ross

February is National Heart Month. What does that mean to you? Heart disease is an illness just like any other chronic diseases, and it can take a life in a matter of minutes.

Fourteen years ago I was a little naive about heart disease until my twin brother was diagnosed with having at least two silent heart attacks before the age of 40.

It was not a family disease but a disease that took him and us by surprise. He took charge of his health from that point on and lived another seven years until his death of a major heart attack at 47.

This coming Friday, Feb. 3, is National Wear Red Day. It is generally used to bring attention to women's heart diseases. It is the #1 killer of women and the leading cause of death among all people. This doesn't have to be. You can find time this month to look up some of the facts and questions to ask your doctor the next time you go in to see him or her. Those questions may save your life or someone you love.

I plan on wearing red on Friday and hope you do too, to remind people to go see their doctors and to see what they can do to bring an end to the number one killer, heart disease.