May 24, 2012
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Heart disease is the number one killer of Tennesseans, so it's likely to affect you or someone you love.
Click here for more information from the American Heart Association.
Friday All around the country, including here at Local 8 News, people are going red for women.
Konnie Anderson's old jeans are her favorite reminder to stay healthy.
"Size 26 jeans. Actually I did fit in these and they were snug. Now I can fit in one leg," said Anderson, now a size 8.
Anderson tells her success story to encourage everyone to Wear Red for Women. Knox Co. Mayor Tim Burchett declared it Wear Red for Women day Friday as part of the national movement.
Anderson says she got healthy for her heart. Three years ago her blood pressure was 240 over 160.
"Heart attack or stroke ready to happen," she said of her condition.
"What's a size six dress mean? Nothing. A certain weight doesn't mean anything. You need to focus on losing the weight that will bring your risk factors for heart disease down," she said.
Doctors day risk factors like high blood pressure or cholesterol, smoking status, and diabetes and can be a warning of heart disease.
"You've got some risk factors, you want to know whether you're at risk of developing heart disease," said Dr. Bret Rogers, a cardiologist at UT Medical Center. "It's a good idea to start with some basic screening tests through your primary care physician."
"A lot of women ignore the warning signs," said Nicole Lipsey, the regional director for Go Red for Women, part of the American Heart Association. "They're not aware of what to even be looking for. But if they hear other women talking about what happened to them."
"Maybe I could help at least one other person see that its not impossible," said Anderson of her success.
Now she eats right, exercises six days a week at Tennova Fitness Center and her blood pressure is normal. And she can keep up when chasing her grandchildren.
"[My four-year-old grandson] finally said, 'I need to sit down you're killing me.' I thought Woohoo!"
Her secret? Support yourself with the people you need and prayer.
"There's nothing really to stop you except yourself," she said."All you have to do is just get started, start moving."
Doctors say women also experience different symptoms during a heart attack than men do. Fatigue, sweating, even back or shoulder pain can signal a problem.
For more information, click on the link above.
