heart of the city

The American Heart Associations Go Red for Women campaign has been embraced by women all over the country since its introduction in 2004. Their red dress emblem is as proverbial as the pink ribbon insignia, which has become the standard symbol for breast cancer. Since the organizations inception in 1924, the voluntary health organization has been dedicated to building healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke.

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, with an even higher mortality rate in African American women (49 percent vs. 35 percent) than the majority population. The American Heart Associations Go Red For Women movement released a study, conducted by Sperlings Best Places, revealing the nations 10 most and least heart-friendly cities for women.

Minneapolis-St. Paul took the title of Most Heart Friendly city for women with the lowest cardiac mortality rate for women, low hypertension rates and highest exercise rates. Nashville, Tenn, on the other hand, finished at the bottom of the rankings with high obesity and smoking rates. Cities with a high concentration of African Americans made both lists: Minneapolis, Washington, D.C, and San Francisco were designated as Most Heart Friendly. Nashville,Tenn, St.Louis and Detroit were categorized as Least Heart Friendly.

?When we consider that African American women have higher death rates from heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases than white women, it is vital that they take action to reduce their personal risk, says Dr. Jennifer Mieres, the American Heart Associations national spokesperson. Mieres is also associate professor of medicine and director of nuclear cardiology at New York University School of Medicine. ?With this study, the American Heart Association is helping to build heart health awareness across the country so all women are aware that heart disease is their No. 1 killer and that they can be heart-healthy no matter where they live.?yvette caslin

For more information about Go Red For Women, the Go Red Style Guide or to see where your city ranked, visit www.GoRedForWomen.org.

Table 1
Most Heart-friendly Cities for Women:
1. Minneapolis/St. Paul/Bloomington, Minn.
2. Washington, D.C./Arlington/Alexandria, Va.
3. San Francisco/San Jose/Oakland, Calif.
4. Denver/Aurora, Colo.
5. Boston/Cambridge/Quincy, Mass.
6. Seattle/Tacoma/Bellevue, Wash.
7. Portland/Vancouver/Beaverton, Ore.
8. San Diego/Carlsbad/San Marcos, Calif.
9. Los Angeles/Long Beach/Santa Ana, Calif.
10. Phoenix/Mesa/Scottsdale, Ariz.

Table 2
Least Heart-friendly Cities for Women:
Nashville/Davidson/Murfreesboro, Tenn.
St. Louis, Mo.
Detroit/Warren/Livonia, Mich.
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Dallas/Fort Worth/Arlington, Texas
Columbus, Ohio
Cincinnati/Middletown, Ohio
Las Vegas/Paradise, Nev.
Cleveland/Elyria/Mentor, Ohio
Indianapolis, Ind.