Attendees 'Go Red for Women' at American Red Heart Association event

Roughly 150 people came together to attend the American Heart Association's Northeast Ohio Go Red for Women Experience, located in the NEW Center at Northeast Ohio Medical University, 4211 OH-44, Rootstown.

Guests of the event were encouraged to wear red attire and hear stories of survival during the experience.

Madison Tromler and Jodie White with 21 News were among the crowd at the event.

During the event, Tromler was awarded the "Voice for Women" award, which she had been nominated for in March.

Tromler has spoken of her own personal connection to the importance of raising awareness and advocating for women's heart health research.

The aim of the Go Red for Women experience was to raise money to go towards women's cardiovascular research, education, awareness and advocacy initiatives according to a news release.

In addition, the experience aimed to educate women on a leading cause of death in women - cardiovascular disease. 

According to the news release, nearly half of women ages 20 and older are living with some for of cardiovascular disease, cited in a report from the American Heart Association in 2023.

Several informational sheets were distributed during the event with information related to stroke and heart attacks in women. 

According to an informational sheet, women face a higher risk of stroke. About 55,000 more women have a stroke each year than men.

According to the same informational sheet, the risk of stroke increases in women who:

• Are pregnant
• Have preeclampsia
• Take birth control pills
• Use hormone replacement therapy
• Have migraines with aura and smoke
• Have atrial fibrillation

It is recommended in the informational sheet that anyone looking to lower their risk of stroke should talk to their health care professional and use the American Heart Association or American Stroke Association prevention guidelines.

An information sheet outlining the warning signs of a heart attack or stroke were also distributed to attendees.

According to the informational sheet, heart attack warning signs include:

• Chest discomfort. This is often felt in the center of the chest, which can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing fullness or pain.
• Shortness of breath. This may occur with or without chest discomfort.
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body, such as one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• A cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness may also be signs.

Stroke warnings signs were also included on the informational sheet, with the acronym F.A.S.T. being shown as an easy way to recognize and respond to warning signs for someone who may be having a stroke.

• F - Face dropping. Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop, or is it numb?
• A - Arm weakness. Ask the person to raise both arms. Is one arm weak or numb? Does one arm drift downward?
• S - Speech difficulty. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Is the sentence repeated correctly? Are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand?
• T - Time to call 911. If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if they go away, it is time to call 9-1-1 and get them to a hospital immediately.

Printable copies of the informational sheets can be found on the Go Red for Women website.

According to the news release, the event is nationally sponsored by CVS Health. The event was presented locally by Silver Sponsors FirstEnergy Foundation and the Cleveland Clinic.

Related Coverage

21's Madison Tromler shares heart story, raising funds for 'Woman of Impact' campaign

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