TYLER, Texas — Almost 300 women came together Friday for the American Heart Association Tyler's Go Red for Women Luncheon.
The goal of the luncheon at the Green Acres Baptist Church Crosswalk Center was to raise awareness and raise awareness and money for research and education on cardiovascular disease.
Keynote speaker Amy Doherty said about five years ago, she had a single vessel bypass due to a complete blockage.
"And about three months before my heart surgery, I was at a Go Red luncheon when the speaker started talking about her symptoms that she was having. And ironically I was having the same exact symptoms so it brought a red flag - a big red flag. A couple months later, I had open heart surgery," Doherty said.
Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the U.S.
Experts say it's important for all women to take charge of their heart health and know the symptoms of heart failure before it is too late.