Imagine having two heart attacks at the age of 44. It happened to island resident Lynn Tippery, who flatlined twice at Whidbey General Hospital and then was flown to Providence Everett Medical Center.

“I had been bounced from doctor to doctor for the previous three months and never once was told I needed a treadmill,” said Tippery. “One year later

I had coronary bipass surgery.”

Heart disease is the number-one cause of death in American women. Women have symptoms different than men, and women are often told they are just “stressed” and even overreacting when they notice symptoms.

With that in mind Whidbey General Hospital and Soroptimists International of South Whidbey, Coupeville and Oak Harbor are sponsoring the Red Dress Program, a luncheon with a series of heart healthy experts speaking about women and heart disease.

February is American Heart Month and the landmark for a heart health awareness movement that is being embraced by millions of people who share the common goal of greater awareness and better heart health for all women.

“The Heart Truth” — a national awareness campaign for women about heart disease — created and introduced the red dress as the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness in 2002 to deliver an urgent wakeup call to American women. The Soroptomists International chapters of Whidbey Island and Whidbey General Hospital took their cue from this national movement to present the island with its own red-themed event.

The “Red Dress Program” will take place from 9 a.m. to

2 p.m Monday, Feb. 12, at Conference rooms A & B, Whidbey General Hospital in Coupeville. Lunch will be provided by the hospital cafeteria with a cold buffet.

The program will include such topics as lipids management, nutrition, exercise, diabetes education and cardio vascular medications.

Guests will also be able to hear the personal story of Dottie Sanders, another island resident who had a harrowing experience with heart disease in middle age while scuba diving.

After six months, Sanders heart is completely repaired, according to her doctors.

Sander’s message to women: “Don’t be afraid. Know the facts, know your history, but don’t be afraid.”

Heart disease often has no symptoms. There are some signs to watch for, however. Chest or arm pain or discomfort can be a symptom of heart disease and a warning sign of a heart attack. Shortness of breath — feeling like you can’t get enough air — dizziness, nausea, abnormal heartbeats or feeling very tired also are signs. One in three American women dies of heart disease.

In 2003, almost twice as many women died of cardiovascular disease — both heart disease and stroke — than from all cancers combined. The older a woman gets, the more likely she is to get heart disease. But women of all ages should be concerned about heart disease. All women should take steps to prevent heart disease.

Soroptomists International is an organization whose goal is to promote the “best for women.” The Red Dress Program is one example of how the local chapters of Soroptomists International, together with Whidbey General Hospital, are working for the benefit of women on Whidbey Island. This is an opportunity for women to take charge of their health and effect the change that is needed for them to live a happy and healthy life.

There are only 40 seats available for the program so reservations should be made immediately with Stephanie Zea at 221-8530 or by e-mail at rso@whidbey.com. Tickets are $8.

Whidbey General Hospital and Island Athletic Club are teaming up to promote community wellness by offering low-cost cholesterol/blood sugar screenings during the Healthy Heart Month of February. Screening cost is $45, open to the public and includes: total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, fasting blood sugar, blood pressure, heart rate, body mass index (blood sample obtained from a finger prick). A detailed education class discusses lab results, cardiac risk factors and preventative actions to take.

Janie Keilwitz, an RN who works with cardiac and pulminary patients at the Life Center of Whibey General Hospital, is speaking during the program on lipids management and is managing the cholesterol screenings.

Keilwitz said she has had a number of people contact her for help with the disease and many who have thanked her for the information they received through these screenings.

“There have been so many people who have come to me and said ‘Thank you for saving my life,’” said Keilwitz. “In six months time they have lost 10 to 25 pounds and the people around them become healthy, too. It has a ripple effect.”

The cholesterol screenings and lecture series will take place in the gym at Island Athletic Club in Freeland. Please call the club in advance to register for a screening at 331-2582 (CLUB).

Patricia Duff can be reached at 221-5300 or pduff@southwhidbeyrecord.com