Heart Association Says A Man's Heart Counts For Less

February 26, 2004

Now, Augustus Grant, President of the AHA, defends this one-sided campaign.

As you read this letter, keep in mind the key fact that men have a 70% higher risk of dying from heart disease than women. But the AHA never even considers that fact. All the AHA is worried about is whether women know that they are at risk:

February 24, 2004

Dear Sir:

Thank you for your letter regarding the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women Campaign. The association respects your opinions, and we appreciate your taking the time to write and share them with us.

The American Heart Association strongly believes that it is important for both men and women to understand their risk factors for cardiovascular disease and to recognize the warning signs of a heart attack or stroke. We targeted women with the Go Red For Women campaign, because we have found that even though cardiovascular disease is the No.1 killer of both men and women, an alarming number of American women don't know they are at risk for this disease. Heart disease kills more American women than any other disease, yet surveys show that when you ask women to name their No. 1 health threat, less than half answer correctly. On the other hand, most people already know that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of men. That's why we feel that it's important to focus on women with this campaign. We want to raise the level of awareness about heart disease in women to equal the high level of awareness that already exists about heart disease and men.

While this initiative is specifically geared toward women, most of our other events and programs are geared toward all Americans. For example, the American Heart Association is the largest contributor to funding cardiovascular research, second only to the federal government. We also fund scientific conferences and symposia and publish journals to disseminate information about preventing and treating heart disease and stroke. Such information benefits men, women and children, and people of all races and ethnicities.

Another way that the American Heart Association advances the fight against heart disease - and helps both men and women - is through advocacy efforts in Washington, DC. Each year American Heart Association volunteers testify before Congress concerning the need for more federal dollars to be dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke.

We also conduct educational and community service programs that reach and benefit both sexes. Our hospital-based programs and Web-based programs for patients, for example, also serve both men and women.

Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts.

Sincerely,

Augustus O. Grant, M.D., Ph.D. President, American Heart Association

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Now, let's tell the Heart Association to stop breaking men's hearts.

Remember, men have a 70% higher risk of dying of heart disease than women. It's men who should be the focus of any sex-specific campaign.

Express your concerns directly to the American Heart Association. Cass Wheeler, Chief Executive Officer

Phone: 1-800-242-8721 (24 hours a day)

E-mail: toiya.honore@heart.org

The heart you save may be your own!