Kim Borcherding, Symmes Twp.

It was Go Red’s signature red dress that caught her eye. Kim first heard of the Go Red for Women campaign while she was visiting a friend in Oklahoma City and instantly knew it was something she wanted to be involved with. Getting the message out that heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States is very close to Kim. Her father suffered a massive heart attack at the age of 49 and lived the next 20 years of his life with only half the use of his heart muscle. Witnessing her family go through such an ordeal ignited her passion to increase awareness of this deadly disease.

As chairwoman of the 2007 Go Red for Women Luncheon, Kim has the opportunity to reach out to women across the Tri-state. She hopes to make the most impact on women in business simply because they are able to apply the Go Red message in their own company and educate fellow employees. Every action, no matter how small, can make a difference. For instance, not only is Borcherding Buick Pontiac a smoke-free workplace, Kim has implemented a smoking cessation program where she rewards her employees if they are able to quit smoking. At this year’s Go Red luncheon, she is looking forward to reaching out to more women and discussing the stigmas of heart disease.

Kim has no better reason to take care of herself than her 8-year-old daughter, Kathryn. Adopted from Russia nearly three years ago, Kathryn keeps her mom on her toes and young at heart. Just last year, Kim was diagnosed with high blood pressure after experiencing constant headaches. In addition to her medication, she has made some lifestyle changes that are better for her overall health. First she started treatment for her sleep apnea, which can be a contributor to heart disease. She eliminated alcohol from her diet and started exercising on a regular basis. One of the most important steps she took was to reduce her stress level. Whether it be delegating more at work or walking her dogs, she has found a way to stop and take a breath.

Her point being, you need to take care of yourself physically, mentally, spiritually – in all ways. It is better to take the time now to do preventative work than to have a disaster later. Take the time for a vacation or just for a bubble bath. Skip the fast food and make a veggie pizza with your kids for dinner, as Kim and Kathryn do. Do what you can to guide yourself to a healthier lifestyle. If you don’t, your contribution to the world will be missed.

Judi Smith, West Chester
I never thought this could happen to me
It started out as a pain in her lower abdomen. Her appendix checked out fine, so she went about her life. Then she had pain in the upper right side of her chest. But thought maybe she just pulled a muscle while exercising. Her energy was drained, but what mother of three hasn’t felt exhausted at one point? Then one night she was having an especially hard time falling asleep. Her breathing was labored and she had cold sweats, but it wasn’t until she suffered the most excruciating pain seizing her body that she and her husband rushed to Mercy Hospital. Judi Smith was 41 years old and she was having a heart attack.

Nearly a year has passed and Judi is still very much on the road to recovery. She had three stints put in her chest and eventually an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) that will monitor her heartbeat for the rest of her life. Still in a state of disbelief, Judi never thought anything would take this kind of toll on herself and consequently her family. She had to learn to take it easy, to let others pitch in and help whenever possible.

If there was a message that Judi could get out to women everywhere, it is simply to take care of yourself now – while you are healthy. Judi exercised regularly, ate all the right foods and tried to manage her stress as best as possible. But she didn’t listen to her own body when something was wrong. Women need to pay attention to their own body, to pay attention to pain. Find a doctor you trust and if one particular doctor isn’t listening to you, find another one who will. It is your life and there is no excuse to put yourself second.

Be a friend – What to do if someone you know gets sick.
If a loved one, friend or neighbor suddenly becomes ill or is somehow prevented from carrying on with life as usual, our first instinct is to offer our help. Here are some ideas on how your gesture can make the most impact:

Call and offer something specific. So many times we say “Call if you need anything” and we never hear from them again. But if you call and offer to “pick up Tommy from soccer practice” or “I’m at the grocery store, do you need any milk or bread?” you will be able to help without soliciting a request.

If you have the means, offer to take the kids for a weekend.
Hire a housecleaning service. Make sure to clear it with the homeowner first.

Make a standing date and time to mow the lawn. Mulch and plant flowers in the spring.

Start a neighborhood email calendar where events, services and who-is-doing-what is scheduled. To avoid bombarding the family you are helping, make sure someone outside the household is the coordinator.

Offer to bring over dinner every Tuesday. Sure, it may be take-out, but it will be appreciated nonetheless.

Margaret Voelker-Ferrier, Northside
Close to my heart

Initially, one might question the relationship between fashion and heart disease, but not after you meet Margie Voelker-Ferrier. Margie teaches at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP) and was approached by the American Heart Association about a project that would help bring awareness to heart disease. Eager to help out in any way possible, this spring quarter students will be designing and constructing red dresses that will be on display during the Go Red for Women Luncheon in May.

The topic of heart health is very near and dear to Margie for many reasons. Her story begins on Halloween weekend of 2005. The day started normal in every way. She was having lunch at her desk and checking e-mail when suddenly she had an incredibly sharp pain, like a knife, in her back that left her gasping for air. Even though every breath was a struggle, she found a colleague who was able to call her husband, Vernon, who rushed to her office. When the two finally arrived at Christ Hospital, the emergency room doctor knew it was a heart problem and Margie was given morphine immediately. She had an aortic dissection (a hole in the aorta) and the morphine subsided any further tearing.

High-blood pressure and hypertension run in Margie’s family, so she knew her and Vernon had to modify their lifestyles. After visiting with a nutritionist, they became a “no salt” household, included lots of fruits and vegetable in their diet, started taking vitamins and ate a lot of simple proteins. Margie continued taking ballet classes twice a week, but was still concerned about her stress level. Some relief came when she was able to share her workload. Additional staff was hired and that allowed her to shift some responsibilities elsewhere. Everything seemed to be going smoothly, that is until March, when her husband passed away from a heart attack.

Margie’s message to women would be, do not take high blood pressure lightly. They may call it the “invisible killer” but it is very real. If you are on medication for high blood pressure or hypertension, make sure you follow through with your treatment. Don’t take your health for granted.

Symptoms of a heart attack

The warning signs women may experience prior to having a heart attack can vary greatly. As with Kim, Judi and Margie, the symptoms can differ from woman to woman. Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but more often they begin with mild pain or discomfort with one or more of these symptoms:

• Nausea/vomiting
• Dizziness
• Cold sweats
• Chest discomfort
• Pain in your back, stomach, neck or jaw
• Cold and clammy skin
• Shortness of breath without chest discomfort
• Source: The American Heart Association

Also, women are far less likely than men to recognize their symptoms as being related to their heart and therefore waited an average of four hours before seeking help. Every minute counts when it comes to the diagnoses and treatment of a heart attack. Don’t be embarrassed by not being sure what is happening to you, let the doctors figure that out. It can be a matter of life or death.

Go Red for Women

National Wear Red Day
Show your support for the fight against heart disease in women by wearing red on Friday, February 2. You will join people across the nation in bringing awareness to the #1 killer of women in the United States.