Olympians are going red for women

If she can find one, Noelle Pikus-Pace will be wearing a red speed suit as she takes her practice skeleton runs today.

The former world champion is one of more than a dozen 2010 U.S. Olympians and Paralympians-and one of millions across the country-who are participating in National Wear Red Day, an initiative put forth by the American Heart Association to raise awareness for heart disease in women.

The AHA's Go Red For Women campaign approached the Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls last fall, and 25 signed up to support the cause. Throughout February, they will be spreading the message of awareness for American Heart Month.

"I knew that heart disease was a major issue," said Pikus-Pace, who will be competing in her first Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. "But I didn't realize the facts: How many people really do pass away because of it or are affected by it; how many people know somebody who is effected by it; just how severe it could be. I didn't realize the extent of it."

According to the AHA, heart disease kills more women each year than the next five causes of death combined, including cancer. That is approximately 450,000 women each year, or one nearly every minute.

But the good news is that the disease is largely preventable. By improving diet and exercise and stopping smoking, women can prevent as many as four of every five cardiac events. That's the message the Olympians are trying to spread.

"The No. 1 thing is planning," said Emily Cook, an aerial skier who is headed to her second Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. "What happens is that we get so busy and if you don't have something planned out, whether it is dinner or lunch, I think that's when we end up settling for fast food or something like that, high in calories or saturated fat. For me, I plan weekly meals; make sure I have my fresh veggies and whole grains to make an easy, healthy meal.

"Also, it doesn't take being an Olympic athlete to be heart healthy, it just takes putting in that little extra effort. You don't have to go to the gym and work really hard, but gather some friends and go for a walk, play with the dog, throw the Frisbee, build a snowman. It can be easy; it doesn't have to be training like an Olympian to keep your heart healthy."

Added Pikus-Pace: "It really comes down to the simple basics. Make sure you carry a water bottle around with you everywhere, make sure you stay hydrated, make sure you are getting 20 minutes of exercise three to four days a week. It doesn't have to be a major lifestyle change for most people, just parking your car at the far end of the parking lot, trying to eat fruits and vegetables and whole grains, it just comes down to the simple things ... that can really make a difference in your life."

Both Cook and Pikus-Pace have lost loved ones to heart problems during their lives. For Cook, it was her beloved aunt who died of heart complications last summer. Pikus-Pace lost her cousin to heart disease about 15 years ago.

Even without their personal losses, the athletes said heart health awareness-and health issues in general-is a cause that's easy to support. As elite athletes, exercise and nutrition are already staples of their lives. Deciding to lend their names to Go Red For Women was a no-brainer.

"It's always been something that I've been quite passionate about, but it came to my attention a bit more (after her aunt died)," said Cook, who has long emphasized healthy living when speaking to schools and other groups. "It's a nationwide problem that we're dealing with these days. People think that heart disease is predominant in men, but it's very common in women, too."

The loss of her cousin so many years ago ensured that heart health awareness was a big part of Pikus-Pace's life. Her family had always been active, she said, but they really began to take notice of diet and exercise after that.

"I remember my mom always parked at the far end of the parking lot just because she wanted to get the extra few steps in," Pikus-Pace said. "She didn't want to do what was the easiest."
 
Pikus-Pace remembers the impact that her cousin's death had on her cousin's family. Now a mother herself, she is passionate about balancing her busy life to maximize her time with her 2-year-old daughter, Lacee. Part of that is thinking ahead and preparing to continue her active and healthy lifestyle after retiring from competitive skeleton.

"For me, being active as an athlete is not just being active as an athlete," she said. "I don't exercise just to compete, but to also stay healthy and active for my family, for my daughter, so I can stay around and do the things I want to do and see them grow."

With the Opening Ceremony fast approaching, the athletes are in crunch mode as they make their final preparations. Pikus-Pace heads to Vancouver on Feb. 8, and Cook plans to join her one day later.

While they're there, men and women around the country are encouraged to join them in spreading awareness about the disease. For tips on staying heart healthy or more information on how to get involved, the AHA has set up a website: www.goredforwomen.org.

But as Cook is flying and flipping through the air and Pikus-Pace is barreling headfirst down the skeleton track in the coming weeks, they want to remind women of two things:

You don't have to train like an Olympian to be heart healthy, and, Pikus-Pace adds enthusiastically, "Go Red For Women!"

Some tips for staying heart-healthy from the Olympians:
"Have an apple for a snack instead of the chips in the vending machine."
-Rachael Flatt, 2010 U.S. Figure Skating Champion

"Read food labels and check the packaging for the Heart Check Mark."
"Exercising doesn't have to mean getting an Olympic workout every day. Just get out there and move."
-Angela Ruggiero, four-time U.S. Olympic hockey team member

"Do anything to just keep your body moving. Make exercise fun-go for a hike, walk your dog or play with your kids."
-Erin Hamlin, 2009 World Champion in Luge

"Get routine checkups so you know your risks."
"Be preventative-if you need to take medicine, take medicine."
-Stephani Victor, 2006 Paralympic gold medalist in Slalom Skiing

"The little things add up! Take the stairs instead of the elevator and park further away in the parking lot."
-Jennifer Rodriguez, four-time U.S. Olympian in long track speedskating

Story courtesy Red Line Editorial, Inc. Chrös McDougall is a freelance contributor for teamusa.org. This story was not subject to the approval of any National Governing Bodies.

Tags: Chros McDougall, Emily Cook, Go Red for Women, Noelle Pikus-Pace, Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Wear Red Day, Wear Red Day