Donna's Story

How a Club Red member learned that exercise has to be a priority

Donna often sees women, close to her age and younger, who suffer serious cardiac events. Both of her parents have heart problems, and cousins (on both sides of her family) have died in their 40s and early 50s from heart attacks.

Even so, she didn’t recognize her own risk of heart disease. It was hard at first she admits, to start taking medication to lower her high cholesterol (a trait she shares with her mother.) “I still think of myself as being in my 20s.”

After working with patients who shared a similar risk profile, Donna decided to take steps toward living a healthier life. Now finding time to exercise is imperative. “Like most people, I try to keep a balance with working long hours, having a family, and having some weekend downtime. I used to say, ‘I need to make time to exercise.’ I see now I need to take time for myself.”

Get the Facts, Get Support

Like Donna, many women don’t see heart disease as a threat. But in fact, it’s the leading cause of death for women in the United States. Here’s one more fact: heart disease is highly preventable with lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise. To live heart-healthy, each woman needs support and an approach that’s right for her.

Introducing Club Red, UVA’s free, online community especially for women

Thousands of women have joined, and there’s no better time than now, American Heart Month, for you to become a member too. You’ll get tips each month from UVA experts on food, fitness and heart health as well as invitations to special events.

And for even more support, there’s Club Red Clinic. The clinic offers 90-minute appointments with a team of UVA experts, shared with other women facing the same issues and challenges. The result: the best care from our experts – and more support from women just like you.

Learn more at clubreduva.com