Heart Association honors local woman

Joyce Hayhow, publisher of the Kansas City Business Journal, was  honored as the “2009 Woman of Distinction” Friday, April 17 at the Go Red For Women Luncheon hosted by the American Heart Association.

“Joyce is a true advocate for women in Kansas City and our community as she has made significant contributions to elevate women’s health awareness,” Lori Mallory, Kansas City Internal Medicine CEO, said.

The association is honoring Hayhow for her commitment to women’s heart health in the Kansas City metro area and her commitment to the Business Journal’s “Women Who Mean Business” program.

“I’m humbled and honored to receive such a prestigious award,” Hayhow, of Leawood, said. “Unfortunately, heart disease runs in my family and the American Heart Association was there for us by funding research and cutting-edge medical treatment that made a tremendous difference in our lives.

“It is only fitting that I make every effort to educate Kansas City women about their personal risks of heart disease.”

Hayhow said the first significant loss she experienced was when her grandmother died from a heart attack.

“If she had known the warning signs of heart disease in women, it’s possible she would have lived to know her great-grandson,” Hayhow said. “Then, just eight months later, my husband and I nearly suffered the unthinkable, the loss of a child. Our son Brian was born with a congenital heart defect and had open heart surgery at two days old. Just over 31 years ago, we benefited profoundly from the research and cutting-edge medical treatment funded by the American Heart Association.”

The 2009 Go Red For Women Luncheon took place at the Downtown Marriott-Muehlebach Hotel, 200 W. 12th St. With a $500,000 goal and 1,000 women in attendance, the half-day event included a Health and Partner Expo, silent auction, and educational sessions including CPR training and health screenings. A red wine and dark chocolate reception followed the lunch and keynote speaker.

The yearlong Go Red For Women campaign, which kicks off at the annual luncheon, provides women with tips and information on healthy eating, exercise, and risk factor reduction such as smoking cessation, weight maintenance, blood pressure control and blood cholesterol management.

American Heart Association Research shows that 96 percent of women who “Go Red” have made at least one choice to improve their heart health, such as losing weight, increasing exercise, changing their diet, checking cholesterol levels, and investigating family’s history of heart disease or talked to a doctor about heart risks.

Cardiovascular disease claims the lives of more than 460,000 women every year, causing one death per minute. More women die of cardiovascular disease than the next five causes of death combined, yet studies show that only 21 percent of women view heart disease as their greatest health threat. 

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