Red Heart loves your heart!

Red Heart is teaming up with the American Heart Association (AHA) to raise awareness about women and heart disease. For instance, did you know that heart disease is the number one killer of women each year? We didn't, and you may not either. Do you know if you are at risk for heart disease? Or what the symptoms of a heart attack are—they're different for women than men. These are important issues, and we're anxious to help the American Heart Association spread the word.

The January/February 2008 issue of Crochet Today features information on women and heart disease, and directions for a showpiece crocheted red dress to draw attention to the AHA's Go Red for Women program. If you're familiar with the program, you know that the red dress is a recognizable icon that lets people know you love your heart and you're taking good care of it by knowing your risk factors for heart disease.

While knitting and crocheting are an important part of managing the stress that can contribute to heart disease, diet and exercise are just as important, as is knowing your blood pressure and cholesterol numbers. We're taking this message (and the Crochet Today red dress) on the road as we travel to consumer shows in the coming months—stop by and visit with us when we're in the area so that we can share brochures and other timely information about women and heart disease (watch future issues of Keep in the Loop for show dates). In the meantime, visit www.goredforwomen.org to take the Go Red Heart Checkup quiz to determine your risk for heart disease.