THE 4-1-1 ON HEART DISEASE IN WOMEN

• Heart disease kills approximately one woman every minute.

• An estimated 43 million women in the United States are affected by heart disease.

• Ninety percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease.

• Forty-two percent of women who have heart attacks die within one year, compared to 24 percent of men.

• Under age 50, women’s heart attacks are twice as likely as men’s to be fatal.

struggle with substance abuse and other emotional issues.

“We all experience trials and struggles in life, but the message I convey to these women is there’s always hope. I’m living proof of that. Volunteering there fills my heart with joy and is so beneficial to my health.”

Kim has also made important lifestyle choices to help prevent another heart attack. A cigarette smoker since age 13, she successfully kicked the habit five years ago. She also eats a heart-healthy diet, including vegetables, fruit, and organic food. As far as exercise, Kim purchased an elliptical machine and uses it several times each week.

“It is normal to be depressed following a heart attack,” she says. “However, it is important that you do not allow it to overtake your life while you are still living. Nobody knows when our next breath will be our last, so I encourage women who suffer heart attacks to continue living life to the fullest.”

While the first year after her heart attack was an emotional rollercoaster for Kim, things started looking up when she took a leap of faith.

“I started praying and attending church more often. I formed a closer relationship with God. I knew Him, but never like this. I realized that I survived and God gave me an opportunity to be a light for other people who are struggling.”

Kim seized that opportunity by becoming a volunteer at the Women’s Care Center, a ministry of First Baptist Church of Leesburg. For three days a week, she works with women who

And like Susie, she cautions all women to take heart disease seriously.

“Prior to my heart attack

I felt fatigued and had high blood pressure for a year, but my doctor said there was no way I had heart disease,” she says. “Society doesn’t push the heart disease button like they do with other diseases such as breast cancer. If something does not feel right with your body, please visit a medical professional and undergo necessary tests to rule out heart problems. It can be a potentially lifechanging decision.” ❤