CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A Fayette County woman wants West Virginians to know how important it is to keep your heart healthy.
Sara Parcell, of Victor, was diagnosed with heart disease in 2014. She now serves as the national “Go Red” spokesperson for West Virginia.
“If I can save one person’s life by getting them to take their health seriously or to look further into a symptom that they might be having, that’s why I do what I do,” Parcell told MetroNews.
The American Heart Association and local businesses teamed up Friday in Charleston and Huntington for National Wear Red Day as part of the “Go Red” campaign to fight heart disease.
Parcell said heart disease is the number one killer of women.
“Heart disease kills 1 in 3 women,” she said. “With me being a woman and going through it, this really gives me the opportunity to share my story, to speak out, to put a face with heart disease.”
The disease runs in Parcell’s family. She said her dad was also diagnosed with heart disease. While family history plays a big role, Parcell said it’s also important to keep yourself in check.
“Knowing your cholesterol, looking at your blood pressure, getting your yearly check up, talking to your doctor. Not ignoring those signs and symptoms is really so important because that’s what I did. I ignored those signs and symptoms and I ended up putting myself in a bad place,” she said.
For more information about Go Red For Women, call 1-888-MY-HEART (1-888-694-3278) or visit GoRedForWomen.org.