Illinois legislators push Go Red for Women

Lawmakers and health officials are hoping an online fitness-monitoring program will reduce the number of deaths from heart disease statewide.

My Life Check includes a short health assessment and provides tips for healthy living. The
American Heart Association designed the program and introduced it today at a Statehouse news conference.    

Members of the Conference of Women Legislators and public health officials wore red today to promote Go Red for Women month.

Conference co-chairwoman Rep. Sandra Pihos, R-Glen Ellyn, said she was surprised at the results from her fitness test.

“When I took that test, I realized how little sometimes we know about ourselves,” she said.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that more than 13,000 women statewide died from heart disease in 2007.