Go Red for Women (10-5-20)

Approximately every 40 seconds, an american will have a heart attack- according to the american heart association.

And while family genetics plays a role in heart diseasedoctors say it's unhealthy life choices playing the biggest role.

As part of october's go red for women campaign-here's kq2's kilee thomas with what lifestyle changes women can make to prevent heart disease and the tool helping them do it.

Kilee thomas reporting families tend to pass things down from generation to generation- jewelry, family heirlooms - and unfortunately, sometimes a history of heart disease but doctors say hereditary heart disease is a smaller risk than you might think sot- corinne ridens, mosaic life care- "family history can increase a person's risk for heart disease.

It is about 2-5% increase for that person and it is one of those risk factors we can't modify."

The american heart association says 80% of heart disease is preventable while family genetics can't be changed mosaic life care's team of heart health experts say lifestyle choices can be - and they play a bigger role in heart disease.

Can lower the risk of heart disease by modifying those risk factors that are easily adjusted through lifestyle change."

"one of the big things i like to show smokers is what is your risk right now, but if we take away the smoking, it's even more effective than going on a cholesterol lowering medication for most patients.

So, by removing one factor, you can have dramatic improvement."

"most americans are consuming about 70 grams of sugar per day, where as a woman you should have less than 24 grams per day.

It's a huge difference."

The american heart association calls them life's simple 7: stop smoking, eat better, get active, lose weight, manage blood pressure, control cholesterol and reduce blood sugar.which can be monitored and tracked in their online tool - my life check.

Heart health experts say knowing how your lifestyle is affecting your heart is the first step in making a healthy change.

Sot- ridens- "a lot of women don't realize heart disease and stroke are the number one cause of death in american women.

So, understanding the risk is important because the majority of those risks can be modified."

Reporting in st joseph kilee thomas kq2 news mosaic says for those with family history of heart disease- 20 is the age they start assessing those family risk factors.

This years go red for women luncheon will be held virtual due to the pandemic... it takes place on zoom on oct.

9th at noon... you can also find a link to register to