PEORIA, IL – During the month of February, state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria) joins the American Heart Association in encouraging men and women throughout Illinois to learn more about heart disease.

“Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women in Illinois,” said Gordon-Booth. “People can reduce their risk through regular exercise and healthy eating. By promoting awareness of this disease we can help save lives.”

Gordon-Booth joined the Conference of Women Legislators (COWL) in their annual “Go Red for Women” event recently. Elected officials, lawmakers, and staff are all encouraged to wear red in order to promote awareness of cardiovascular disease in women.

“My mother passed away due to heart disease that went undiagnosed,” said Gordon-Booth. “I encourage men and women throughout Illinois to go to the doctor and get their heart health checked. By catching heart disease early, you can take the necessary steps to prevent a heart attack or stroke and spend more time with your loved ones.”

Go Red for Women is the American Heart Association’s platform for educating about women their heart disease risk factors. According to the American Heart Association, over the past ten years Go Red for Women has helped saved more than 600,000 lives and fund gender-specific research for the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease in women. To learn more about Go Red for Women, visit www.goredforwomen.org.

For more information, please contact Rep. Gordon-Booth’s constituent service office at (309) 681-1992 or e-mail her at repjgordon@gmail.com.