HARRISBURG, FEBRUARY 5, 2007 -- Joined by dozens of colleagues, health professionals and onlookers, state Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione helped kick off the statewide “Go Red for Women” campaign with a rally at the state Capitol today.

     The campaign is intended to remind women that heart disease and stroke are often overlooked as serious health risks for women.

     “By highlighting the factors that put women at risk for heart disease and by discussing ways in which we can lower that risk, we hope to inspire women to take charge of their heart health, enabling them to live longer and healthier lives,” Tartaglione told the crowd.

     Tartaglione joined Sen. Jane Orie, an Allegheny County Republican, to put forth a bipartisan effort to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease among women.  They are co-sponsors of a resolution declaring February as “American Heart Month” in Pennsylvania.

     When the “Go Red for Women” campaign debuted in 2004, fewer than one in six women knew that cardiovascular disease was their greatest health risk.  Today, more than half of all women know their risks.