February is American Heart Month, and it’s the perfect time to talk about women’s heart health. One woman who is leading the charge in raising awareness is Sara Parcell, West Virginia’s Ambassador for Go Red for Women. Despite having heart disease herself, Parcell is a powerful voice for spreading heart health awareness and motivating other women to take control of their health.
A Surprising Diagnosis
Around ten years ago, Sara Parcell was living a normal life as an officer in the Army National Guard. She never expected to hear the words “heart disease.” But one day, she started to feel strange. Her heart would race, she couldn’t catch her breath, and it even felt like her heart was struggling to keep up. Initially, she thought these symptoms were nothing to worry about.
“I thought I was too young for this to happen to me,” Sara shared. But after visiting the doctor, she learned that her heart was only working at about 30%. It was a shock to hear, especially since her family has a history of heart disease. Her father had battled heart problems for years, but like many of us, Sara never thought it would happen to her.
The Power of Family History
Sara’s story highlights something very important: knowing your family’s health history can make a big difference. According to the American Heart Association, nearly half of all women in the U.S. over the age of 20 are living with some form of heart disease. Understanding your family’s health history can help you make better decisions when it comes to your own health.
Sara urges women to be proactive and not ignore their health. “80% of heart disease is preventable,” she says. “It’s important to listen to your body and get checked if something feels off.”
Turning a Negative into a Positive
Sara’s heart disease diagnosis didn’t stop her. Instead, it became the driving force behind her mission to help others. Today, as the Go Red for Women Ambassador for West Virginia, Sara travels across the state to spread awareness about heart disease and encourage other women to take control of their health.
For Sara, her family was her biggest motivation to keep fighting. “They’ve always been my motivation. I want to live for my kids,” she explained. Her children were her biggest source of strength through this journey. She also found that helping others gave her a renewed sense of purpose.
Encouraging Women to Take Action
Sara’s message is simple but powerful: Don’t wait. If something feels wrong, get it checked out. Heart disease doesn’t always show obvious signs, and women may not recognize the symptoms. But small symptoms could be early warning signs. By being aware and taking action early, women can take steps to prevent heart disease from getting worse.
Sara’s journey shows that it’s never too late to take control of your health. By being proactive and learning about heart disease, women can protect themselves and their families.
Sara Parcell’s Call to Action
As Sara continues to spread her message across West Virginia, she encourages every woman to learn more about heart disease, especially during American Heart Month. By focusing on prevention and staying informed, women can significantly reduce their risk of developing heart disease.
Sara’s inspiring journey reminds us all that we can take control of our health at any stage in life. Her message is clear: Never ignore the small signs, and always make time to get checked. No one is too young or too healthy to be affected by heart disease.
Conclusion
February is a reminder for everyone to be aware of their heart health, and Sara Parcell’s story is an incredible example of how one person can make a big difference. By sharing her journey and encouraging others, she’s helping to save lives and inspiring women everywhere to put their heart health first.
(Source : wchstv.com)
