Jordan Beck | Daily Press Mary Claire Massi-Lee, WISEWOMAN coordinator for Public Health, Delta & Menominee Counties (PHDM), stands next to a board displaying information about American Heart Month in PHDM’s Escanaba office Wednesday.

ESCANABA — February is American Heart Month, and today is National Wear Red Day. People in the area can wear red clothing Feb. 7 to help spread the word about heart disease.

According to a press release issued by OSF HealthCare St. Francis Hospital & Medical Group, National Wear Red Day is part of the American Heart Association (AHA)’s Go Red for Women movement. The movement’s goal is to raise awareness of heart disease and stroke in women, as more women die of these conditions than men.

The symptoms of heart disease vary between men and women. For example, the AHA has stated chest pain is often not a symptom for women, and 64 percent of women who die suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms.

Signs of heart attacks in women can include shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting, back/jaw pain, dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting, pain in the lower chest or upper abdomen and extreme fatigue.

At Public Health, Delta & Menominee Counties, WISEWOMAN Coordinator Mary Claire Massi-Lee said people should take steps to enhance their heart health during the month of February.

“Obviously it’s important, because it’s the number-one cause of death for men and women in the United States,” she said.

Although some risk factors for heart disease — such as age, race and family history — are beyond the control of individuals, other factors can be influenced by people’s actions. These include blood pressure and weight.

Massi-Lee said getting 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity most days is a good way for people to improve their heart health.

“Exercise is important — staying active,” she said.

People should also watch what they eat.

“(Try) to stay away from processed foods,” Massi-Lee said.

People looking to improve their diet can also eat healthy amounts of fruits, vegetables and whole grains; decrease their consumption of fatty foods; limit sodium to a maximum of 1,500 mg per day; and limit their alcohol intake to either one drink (for women) or two drinks (for men) per day.

Since the use of tobacco or regular exposure to secondhand smoke can increase people’s risk of heart disease, people currently using tobacco are encouraged to quit, as well.

Next month, Massi-Lee said some women in the area will be able to have several heart health screenings done free of charge.

“We do offer free cholesterol, glucose and blood pressure screenings through the WISEWOMAN program,” she said.

The WISEWOMAN program is meant to help women between the ages of 40 and 64 who meet income eligibility guidelines reduce their risk of chronic disease. Those who are interested in having these screenings done, but are unsure whether or not they qualify for WISEWOMAN, are encouraged to get in touch with Massi-Lee.

“If they’re not sure, they can contact me,” she said.

Massi-Lee’s phone number is 906-789-8130. Her email address is mmassilee@phdm.org.