WICHITA, Kansas -- Friday was National Wear Red Day, a day to raise awareness of heart disease.
It's the number one killer of women and why a local heart disease survivor is making it her mission to reduce that with education.
"We probably eat the wrong foods, we don't exercise enough and some of it may actually be hereditary," explain Wanda Eilts, a heart disease survivor.
It's just a few of the reasons heart disease kills one in three women every year.
Or one woman every minute.
It's a condition Wanda has lived with her entire life, most recently overcoming congestive heart failure and heart arrythmia about a year ago.
"A lot of people believe there are other illnesses out there that are the number one cause of death and it's actually heart disease," says Wanda.
It's part of what makes Wanda the perfect person to chair this year's Go Red for Women luncheon.
"Know your numbers and then also to really know that heart disease is their number one health risk and then to make a difference, get out there and spread the education, the knowledge to other women."
Wanda works to set the record straight.
Heart disease affects women of all ages.
Heart disease affects marthon-running yoga junkies.
Symptoms of heart disease involve more than extreme chest pain.
"So often we're caregivers and mothers and involved in things we don't always look at ourselves and take care of our health like we should."
She says checking your blood pressure and knowing your cholesterol numbers can help prevent trouble.
"To be able to impact or help with other women's lives to make a difference, for me that's been the best goal anyone could look for," says Wanda.
