President and CEO of Gateway Health named to lead the charge to help women of Pittsburgh prevent heart disease and stroke
The American Heart Association named Patricia J. “Patti” Darnley, President and CEO of Gateway Health Plan as chair for the 2016 Pittsburgh Go Red For Women Luncheon set for Friday, May 13 at the Omni William Penn Hotel.
In her role as Luncheon chair, Darnley is leading the charge to raise awareness and increase corporate and individual participation in the annual spring event.
“Heart disease is the number one killer of women in this country. The Go Red for Women Luncheon and movement educates and connects hundreds of women locally and nationally, and offers tools to help women make life saving choices,” Darnley said. “I’m proud to be involved because working together to help improve the health of our community and neighbors is key for Gateway Health and for me, personally. I invite others in the community to join me at both the Go Red Luncheon and in raising awareness of heart disease both women and men.”
Heart disease and stroke cause 1 in 3 deaths among women each year—more than all cancers combined. The America Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement inspires women to make lifestyle changes, mobilize communities and share policies to save live.
Research tells us, women who Go Red are more likely to make and adopt healthy changes in their lives. “Eighty percent (80%) of cardiac events in women may be prevented by simply making better choices, involving diet, exercise, and abstinence from smoking,” Darnley adds.
Here are the facts: Women who are involved with the Go Red For Women movement live healthier lives.
- Nearly 90% have made at least one healthy behavior change.
- More than one-third has have 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 have talked with their doctors about developing heart health plans.
The annual Pittsburgh Go Red For Women Luncheon
Friday, May 13, 2016 Omni William Penn Hotel
Registration | 10:30 A.M. * Free Health Screenings and Shopping | 10:30- Noon
Luncheon | Noon – 1:30 P.M.
Register for tickets at: http://PittsburghGoRed.heart.org
Many women do not recognize the warning signs or symptoms of heart disease, which may be more subtle than those exhibited by men.
Heart Attack Signs in Women
-Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
-Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
-Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
-Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness should not be ignored.
Chest pain is the most common heart attack symptom for both women and men. Nevertheless, women are more likely to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.
If you have any of these signs, don’t wait more than five minutes before calling for help. Call 9-1-1 and get to a hospital right away.
Go Red for Women is nationally sponsored by Macy’s. Locally sponsored by Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC, Gateway Health Plan, and Bayer.
About Go Red For Women
Since 2004, Go Red For Women has captured the energy, passion, and intelligence of women to work collectively to wipe out heart disease—the No. 1 killer of women. Go Red For Women engages these women—and the men who love them—to embrace the cause. Today we want millions of women across American to take heart disease personally.
Throughout the year, our writers feature fresh, in-depth, and relevant information for our audience of 40,000+ healthcare leaders and professionals. As a healthcare business publication, we cover and cherish our relationship with the entire health care industry including administrators, nurses, physicians, physical therapists, pharmacists, and more. We cover a broad spectrum from hospitals to medical offices to outpatient services to eye surgery centers to university settings. We focus on rehabilitation, nursing homes, home care, hospice as well as men’s health, women’s heath, and pediatrics.
