Heart of the Matter: Raising Awareness of Heart Health Month

What's the number one health threat for women? Heart disease. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, women are more likely to die from heart disease than any other disease. That's why when we were approached by Woman's Day Magazine to support their 8th Annual Red Dress Awards next week, we said yes.

February is Heart Month and it's all about raising awareness and funds for research into heart disease. The Red Dress Awards is an event held in New York to honour those who’ve made a significant contribution to the fight against heart disease in women. Barbara Walters is among this year’s honorees and the event itself features Natasha Bedingfield, Charice and is co-hosted by Mario Lopez, of Dancing with the Stars fame.

We're pleased to report we've teamed up with Cleanwell, makers of our popular natural hand sanitizers and liquid soaps, to support this worthy event. Among the goodies in the VIP swag bags will be a Cleanwell natural hand sanitizer spray in the yummy vanilla orange scent. WIN your own hand sanitizer spray - see details below.

Let's face it, women are - in many respects - head of the household. To take care their families, they need to look after themselves. Ever notice what happens to the running of the house when Mom gets sick? Raising awareness about heart disease means raising awareness about prevention and the importance of making smart choices to lead a healthier, greener lifestyle.

What is heart disease?
The term heart disease can mean any one of a number of different heart problems. The most common kind of heart disease is coronary heart disease. This happens when a fatty substance called plaque clogs the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to the heart. If a blood vessel becomes completely blocked, a heart attack can happen.

Eating healthy, being healthy and exercising regularly can go a long way to helping fight heart disease. While menopause, family history, race and socioeconomic factors are key, so are high cholesterol, physical inactivity, hypertension, excessive weight, diabetes and tobacco smoke - things we can aim to control.

Taking steps to live life a little greener in terms of what you put in your body and what you do with your body is a great start.

WIN 1 of 5 NATURAL HAND SANITIZERS! Tell us how you keep your heart healthy in a comment below or on our Facebook wall and you could win a Cleanwell hand sanitizer - just like in the VIP swag bags at the Woman's Day Red Dress Event. Random draw will take place this Friday, February 11th. Be sure to leave your email address so we can get in touch if you win!

For more information, check out these sites:
Heart and Stroke Foundation
Womenshealthmatters.ca
Dietitians of Canada

For more green living ideas, visit eco boutique Lavish & Lime. If you have any thoughts about heart disease or living a healthier, greener life in general, please leave a comment below. We'd love to hear from you!