The Importance of February

February is Black History Month, an opportunity to recognize and honor the many accomplishments and achievements of Black people. On this day I honor my mother, Braddella Galloway Brown, born in Greenwich, Connecticut, the daughter of a Methodist preacher with roots in the Mohawk and Shinnecock Tribes she loved to remind us of our family history.  She is one of our mighty trailblazers being one of the first black women hired at National City Bank in the early 1970s. A strong, God-fearing woman, my mother instilled those same strong Christian values in her three children.  While leading a full, productive life, her heart became weak.  Cardiovascular disease ended her life at the age of 51.  My mother left a void that certainly cannot be filled. She did; however, teach me the importance of a healthy, spiritual heart and even when the heart condition she had endured since birth weakened her physical heart, she continued to demonstrate strength and faith in all she said and did.

February is Women's Heart Health Awareness Month.  According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease is the leading killer in the U.S. (killing approximately one woman every 60 seconds). The good news is that 80 percent of cardiac events may be prevented with education and lifestyle changes.  If you had heart disease, would you recognize the symptoms? Many of us are familiar with the scene of a man clutching his chest and falling to the ground, but there is so much more we all need to know.

According to Go Red for Women, there are many similarities in the symptoms of heart disease in men and women, there are even more differences – differences that could save, or end your life if you don’t know them. Heart disease and stroke disproportionately affects African-Americans.  African-American women are less likely than Caucasian women to be aware that heart disease is the leading cause of death.  Additionally, African-American women have almost two times the risk than Caucasian and are more likely to die at an early age compared to women of other ethnicities.  So, learn the symptoms and don’t ignore them as I did.  You see, on November 8, 2016 I experienced a significant cardiac event and the cardiologist looked right at me after I failed the stress test and said, “You don’t have a week, you don’t have a day.  You’re going straight to the hospital.  If you don’t go now, you might not have another chance.”  Receiving this news, the diagnosis of coronary artery disease, set a new course for my life.

There have been great strides in the research and treatment of cardiovascular disease since losing my mother in 1983.  I am encouraged with my prognosis and for those facing heart disease and stroke today.  Education, lifestyle changes, diet, and exercise are key areas you can control in your life.   I encourage you to visit the American Heart Association's and the Go Red for Women websites to further your education and understanding of heart disease. The more a woman knows about heart disease, the better chance she has of beating it.

Realizing more than ever how crucial it is to guard your heart; physically emotionally, and spiritually, I share this with you and hope that you are encouraged to be heart healthy for you, for your family, for those that love you.

SharB~TTSD 
#TakeTheScaffoldingDown