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The 'Stealth' Disease 

Heart disease is like a stealth killer to women because it frequently has no warnings!

In February 2008, I had the opportunity to share my story at the Baltimore Sister to Sister Heart Health Fair at the VIP Luncheon.  I realize how blessed and fortunate I am to be here to stress to women to take charge of their heart health because everyday women are losing their lives to heart disease.  Some have battled the disease for years but others die with no warning.  I was saddened to learn of yet another young women who quite suddenly lost her life to heart disease while at her workplace.  She was to be seen by her doctor that very morning but she never made it out of her office building.  The scary thing about heart disease is that you can have no symptoms prior to suffering a fatal heart attack.  I know that I would not have participated in water aerobics if I had felt bad the night I went into congestive heart failure.  I had no idea that I was a walking time bomb!  Heart disease is like a stealth killer to women because it frequently has no warnings!

It is because of its ability to slowly and insidiously rob us of our health that heart disease must be taken seriously by women.  The good news is that it is largely preventable but we must take an active role in keeping our heart in good health.  We must know our family history, eat sensibly, exercise regularly, get regular check ups and know our numbers!  We must help each other and educate women about their risks and empower them to take control of their heart health.