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Landstuhl Regional Medical Center staff and KMC members are invited to wear their favorite red dress, shirt or tie on National Wear Red Day, celebrated locally Feb. 8. The national observance takes place in the U.S. today to show support for women who take action to protect their hearts and combat the No. 1 killer of women: heart disease.
“Having a healthy heart means controlling the risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, physical inactivity and being overweight,” said Debra McKay, LRMC physician assistant. “Having just one risk factor increases your risk of developing heart disease, and the wearing of the red on Feb. 8 shows your commitment to a heart healthy lifestyle.”
The Heart Truth campaign introduced the red dress in 2002 as the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness. The campaign began in response to recommendations of more than 70 experts in women’s health to develop a national action plan to reduce the toll of heart disease on American women. The campaign was developed with input from partner organizations and focus groups with women conducted across the U.S.
“This research revealed that most women underestimate their personal risk and do not fully understand the devastating impact that heart disease has on one’s life and family,” McKay said. “The campaign warns women about heart disease and provides tools to help them take action against its risk factors. Prevention of heart disease should begin in childhood and is a life-time goal.”
McKay urges everyone to wear red Feb. 8 to demonstrate the urgency of fighting heart disease and to bring awareness of the importance of being active, having a healthy diet, not smoking, and seeing your health care provider to determine your risks for heart disease.
“Support this life-saving awareness-to-action movement,” she said. “Wear your favorite red dress, red shirt or red tie and avail yourself of the many classes and programs in the Kaiserslautern area to improve your heart health.”
Some of these upcoming programs at LRMC include:
HEALTHY EATING
Healthy Eating at LRMC takes place from noon to 1 p.m. Fridays in the Deployed Warrior Medical Management Center conference room (located on the second floor of Bldg. 93761 A1, white temporary Bldg. near the ER entrance). Bring a dish to share (and the recipe) or bring your lunch and join the informal discussion on healthy eating practices that inspire us to have a tuned body and a sustainable planet.
MEDITATION
Midday Meditation/Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction takes place from noon to 1 p.m. Mondays and features 30 minutes of meditation and 15 minutes of tea and discussion. This class takes place in the DWMMC conference room. Prior experience with meditation or MBSR is not necessary.
YOGA, TAI CHI, QI GONG
Treat yourself to Lunchtime Yoga to de-stress and return to work rejuvenated from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Tuesdays at the Landstuhl gym, Bldg 3722. The class is designed to help you develop a daily practice, incorporating therapeutic poses that are individualized for your needs and is taught by McKay, who has a background in family practice and pain medicine as well Qi Gong and Tai Chi. The cost is $4 per class or $30 for a voucher of 10 classes. The class is free to wounded warriors. Beginners are welcome.
For more information on any of these programs, call McKay at 486-7426 or 06371-86-7426.
