Go red for heart health

A Wellness Wednesday for Women is planned from noon-2 p.m. Feb. 29 at Drew Wellness Center in Columbia. The free event will provide information about disease along with heart health screenings, and there will be a Zumba class.

Tameika Isaac Devine wasn’t making a fashion statement when she stepped out in red Friday.

The Columbia City Councilwoman was merely adding her voice to others around the city showing their support for women’s heart health during the city’s annual Go Red Day.

The event, which grew out of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Day, encourages women and men to wear red to bring awareness to heart disease, the leading killer of women in the country.

Devine gathered Friday in council chambers with other elected officials and business and neighborhood leaders. Women wore red dresses or blouses and men had on red ties. Group members took pictures for an online gallery that will be used on social media sites and the city’s website.

Devine shared some thoughts about the day and her hopes for helping more women improve their health.

What do you feel is one of the biggest benefits of this day?

Devine: It challenges women to know their risk for heart disease and take action to reduce their personal risk, and to help their “sisters” get educated as well.

What drove your personal interest in this initiative?

Devine: After I had my second child, I started having high blood pressure. My doctor became concerned and put me on blood pressure medication and gave me some information about heart disease in women. I was alarmed about the statistics and thought, if I, as someone who is pretty involved in the community and pretty knowledgeable about health issues, was not aware of the high incidence of heart disease in women, then there is a lot more that can be done to educate the community.

What are some of the things you most want other women to know?

Devine: I want to make sure that our citizens know that heart disease is still the number one killer of women and we need to work together to educate our community. We need to tell our mothers, sisters, aunts and girlfriends, so we can save lives.

So what are you encouraging people to do?

Devine: I want to encourage everyone, men and women, to get regular physicals. But changing your health habits is just as important – watching what you eat and getting some type of exercise on a regular basis is absolutely necessary. I am a working mom so I know it is hard, but just a 30-minute walk or even playing with your kids can help you get up and move. Make a change in your lifestyle and start today.

What is one of the best things that you try to do personally for your own heart health?

Devine: I try to exercise a couple of times a week, always incorporating some cardio. I also have tried to eat better, limiting fried and fatty foods. I eat oatmeal almost every morning. I am not perfect, but I try really hard because I want to set a good example for my girls.