The American Heart Association's Go Red Por Tu Corazon™ Asks Latinas to Have a Heart-to-Heart This Mother's Day

Go Red Por Tu Corazon supporter Ximena Navarrete, Miss Universe 2010, helps start the conversation

DALLAS, May 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Heart disease remains the No. 1 killer of Hispanic women. On average, Hispanic women are likely to develop heart disease 10 years earlier than non-Hispanic white women. Yet, most are still unaware of this threat. This Mother's Day, the American Heart Association's Go Red Por Tu Corazon encourages daughters to have a heart-to-heart conversation that could potentially save their mother's life.  

Sadly, mothers, sisters and friends are dying at the rate of one per minute because they don't know that heart disease kills. To help begin this conversation, Go Red Por Tu Corazon supporter Ximena Navarrete urges mothers and daughters to have this heart-to-heart in a thirty-second online Public Service Announcement featured on the Go Red Por Tu Corazon Facebook page.  

"As a woman and a Latina, the Go Red Por Tu Corazon cause is very close to my heart as it helps to educate Hispanic women worldwide about their personal risks for heart disease. Everyone knows someone who has been affected by this deadly disease, and I have made it my mission to educate my family, friends and the community to make healthier eating and lifestyle choices," said Ximena Navarrete, Miss Universe 2010.

To encourage a Heart-to-Heart this Mother's Day, Go Red Por Tu Corazon is offering tools and resources, along with steps to make a heart-healthy meal, so Latinas can honor their mother. While Hispanic women can't change certain risk factors, such as ethnicity and family history, they can help reduce their risks for heart disease by choosing to eat healthy.

"My parents felt that I wasn't proud of my culture because I wasn't eating exactly the way they were used to eating, when really all I wanted was for them to lead healthier lives by making small changes in the preparation of our traditional dishes,"  said Linda Pena, 23, Go Red Por Tu Corazon Spokesperson.

Latinas can engage in this very important conversation with those they love by using the new Heart Tools available on the Go Red Por Tu Corazon official Facebook page. After all, there is no better gift than a conversation that could help your mother live longer.

Heart-healthy recipes – Heart–healthy dish ideas for a special Mother's Day meal

Shop Smart – Healthy hearts begin at the supermarket. Learn how to plan your meals.

Life Simple 7™ – Learn your true heart health.

Show your support – Get your FREE Red Dress Pin by joining the movement.

For more information please visit GoRedCorazon.org or Facebook.com/GoRedPorTuCorazon.

About Go Red Por Tu Corazon

The American Heart Association's Go Red Por Tu Corazon is a bilingual heart-health movement for Latinas that is dedicated to raising awareness of heart disease – the No. 1 killer of Latina women. Go Red Por Tu Corazon promotes a heart-healthy lifestyle, through healthy eating and physical activity, building on Latinas strong ties to family and cultural traditions. Visit GoRedCorazon.org, call 1-888-474-VIVE or find us on Facebook to get free information about the movement. Go Red Por Tu Corazon is nationally sponsored by Macy's, Inc.

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – America's No. 1 and No. 3 killers. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or join us, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or any of our offices around the country, or visit heart.org.  

SOURCE American Heart Association