Northland Women Gear Up to 'Go Red'

DULUTH - Heart disease is the number one killer of women. 

One in three women die each year from the disease and some women in the Northland are taking a stand against it.

What does it mean to 'Go Red'? 

It's more than just wearing a red dress or red tie, it means really making changes in your health.

Heart surgeon, Dr. Mary Boylan said, "Women are starting to think about their heart health. Their spouses, their husbands their family, their friends are also starting to think about health, of women and heart health for women."

She said this is the tenth year they have participated in Go Red and they have presented a challenge to ten women in the Northland.

"They are going through a ten week makeover challenge in which we help them to kind of do a self-assessment of what their health is like."

The doctor says the women are working on controllable factors like changing diet, quitting smoking and getting active.

Sandy Johnson said, "I've been eating better, I've been exercising more, at all, hadn't exercised very much previously."

Sandy has been on the challenge for six weeks and she said she's made great changes in the kitchen. 

"Now it's full of kale, and spinach, and cuties and salad makings, and I've got cantaloupe. In my cupboard I've got tomatoes, and bananas and mangoes instead of cookies."

She's amazed at the progress she's made in a short time.

"So far I've lost about ten pounds. My blood pressure dropped 40 points."

Sandy said she feels great after making changes to her diet.

Armed with the American Heart Association's 'Recipe for Your Heart' cook book, there are dozens of ways to make big changes for your heart.

They say it's best to shop the perimeter of the grocery store, avoiding processed foods in the center isles.

Increase your fruits and veggies and cook once a week, so you'll have healthy stuff ready to go.

But not every lady in the Northland knew about this critical issue.

So Go Red, spread the word, talk to health care providers, ask questions, and make changes.

For more information go to, http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/.