Life Balance Stressed at Annual Go Red Event

Heart disease is the number 1 killer of women,” stated Dawn Collins, chair of the 2012 Valpo Goes Red for Women event, “It can attack anyone, anywhere.” The breakfast, once again held in Valparaiso University’s Harre Union Ballroom, was part of the movement to raise awareness of heart disease as it relates to women. “We hope more women learn that living a healthy, active lifestyle can make the difference between life and death,” Collins said.

Headlining the event as the keynote speaker, Maggie Wilderotter, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Frontier Communications, spoke on maintaining a balance between work and life, in order to stay healthy. “We all know heart health is extremely important,” Wilderotter shared, “Our bodies and mental health deserve care and attention.”

Maggie shared her journey to becoming one of the Top 50 Women in World Business (Financial Times) and one of the 50 Most Powerful Women in Business (Fortune). Coming from a healthy background as a child, where here parents influenced her to make smart choices regarding diet and exercise, Wilderotter had a solid foundation as she ventured into the business world as an adult.

Even after starting a family of her own, Wilderotter continued to work, traveling often and dealing with high stress situations. “Everything was going full throttle,” she said, going on to say that if she ever were to have had a heart attack, that would have been the time. Recognizing that the stress needed to be addressed in a healthy manner, Maggie began walking 4-6 miles daily, indulging in regular massages, and drinking the occasional glass of wine, as her husband maintains a vineyard.

In 2004, Wilderotter was offered the opportunity to run Frontier Communications and as a model for 16,000 employees, she recognized that she had to set the example for healthy living. Wellness programs, encouraging exercise and programs to quit smoking, are offered to Frontier employees at no cost or are subsidized by the company. There are also free assistance programs to help employees address stress in their lives.

Wilderotter herself makes sure that time off remains truly off. “I have designated check in times,” she said, “But I’m completely off when with family…boundaries are healthy for everyone.”

Community member Nicole Caylor also shared her battle with heart disease. While in basic training for the Army, then 29 years old, Nicole awoke one morning more tired than usual. Chalking it up to a rigorous PT the day before, she went about her normal routine, through a morning PT, and by breakfast, she felt extreme nausea and a racing heart. “I thought, ‘Why would anything be wrong with me?’” she shared, so she continued through the day.

By lunch, she was experiencing pain radiating down her left arm, jaw pain, severe nausea, and the feeling of her heart beating out of her chest. Seeking medical help, she was told nothing was wrong and after a two mile walk with a 75 pound rucksack, the symptoms only worsened, and Nicole was now experiencing uncontrollable dry heaves and a racing heart.

It took her collapsing twice before Nicole was taken to the emergency room, where they measured her heart beat at 470 beats per minute. “They told me then that I suffered a heart attack,” she said. Because of the poor weather conditions and no cardiologist on staff, Caylor was sent to another local hospital and given more medications.

Due to there being no clogged arteries, Nicole was discharged, only to be sent to another hospital 8 hours later with the same symptoms. This time, the heart attack was finally recognized and confirmed. “I was told I was lucky to be alive,” Caylor shared. She underwent heart surgery, with a heart rate of 110.

This isn’t something that happens to just our dads, our grandfathers, our uncles…each and every one of us are affected by heart disease,” Nicole said, encouraging event attendees to support the American Heart Association in their fight against heart disease.

Today is an absolute success,” stated Executive Director Diane Kemp, “Every woman in the room clearly understands why she is here. And every man in the room will take this home to the women in his life.”

To learn more about taking part in the American Heart Association’s fight, visit heart.org.