Residents encouraged to take part in Heart Walk

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women over the age of 25, and one in five females in the United States has some form of cardiovascular disease. These statistics tell us our mothers, sisters, wives and daughters are especially at risk, and strong action is required.

The American Heart Association reports that heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases claim the lives of more than a half-million women each year — about a death a minute — including close to 15,500 New Jersey females. That’s more lives than the next seven causes of death combined.

As this year’s Monmouth County chairwoman, I am proud the American Heart Association’s 2004 Heart Walk theme — Step Out, Save Lives! Exercise Your Heart — encourages all Americans, especially women, to incorporate exercise into their daily routines. In addition, the American Heart Association recently unveiled a new national campaign called Go Red for Women to improve women’s awareness about their risk of heart disease and stroke, and to increase physician and public awareness.

Every year since 1984, more women than men have died of heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. The difference in deaths currently is more than 65,000 per year, and the gap continues to widen. According to the American Heart Association, the cost of cardiovascular diseases and stroke in the United States in 2004 is estimated at more than $368 billion.

The American Heart Association recommends exercising for 30 minutes or longer on most days of the week. Lack of physical activity is one risk factor for heart disease and stroke that can be controlled, but only by you.

Women throughout the country are being urged to take charge of their health and make heart disease and stroke awareness top priorities in their life. I urge all residents, businesses and civic leaders, and companies to get moving and join us Sept. 26 at 10 a.m. at the boardwalk in Belmar for the 13th annual Monmouth-Ocean Shoreline Heart Walk.

Laurence M. Downes

Monmouth County chairwoman, 2004 Monmouth-Ocean Shoreline Heart Walk