Winneshiek Medical Center staff observes National Wear Red Day, which promotes heart health

Pictured from left, front row kneeling: Angie Kerndt, Becky Langreck, `Joetta Redlin, Shirley Smith and Rhonda Schlosser. Seated: Dave Rooney, Sarah Caddell, Laurie Bulman, Elly Lensch, Dawn Holt and Tracie Schuring. First row standing: Beth Sims, Jill Walton, Valerie Lyons, Marianne Stalberger, Jacque Dawley, Sue L. Busta, Jean Irvin and Patty Casterton. Back row: Dawn Sanderman, Janice Baumler, Karla Bakken, Tina Malone, Sarah Wyatt, Lynn Luloff, Maxine Klotzbach and Liz Pfile.

Staffers at Winneshiek Medical Center are wearing red clothing on Friday to observe Nation Wear Red Day, an event to raise awareness among women that heart disease is their #1 health threat.

Winneshiek Medical Center Chief Medical Officer Susan Heitman says it's a common misconception that women are not at risk for heart disease when, in fact, heart disease is just as much of a reality for women as it is for men.

Heitman says, "While heart disease risk begins to rise in middle age, heart disease develops over time and can start at a young age, even in the teen years. It's never too early, or too late, to assess your lifestyle and take action to prevent and control the risk factors for heart disease."