Until it happened to her, Trista Milici never thought she would suffer a heart attack. But during the last weekend of January, 2012, the busy wife, mother of three and Executive Assistant to Branford's First Selectman went into cardiac arrest. Luckily, Trista survived the life-threatening heart attack. The episode also built her resolve to make sure more women are aware of the risks and signs, and to help raise awareness and support for the work of non-profit American Heart Association (AHA).

In the seven years that have followed her heart attack, one way Milici helps spread the word is by spearheading a month of support shown by the Town of Branford for AHA. As in past years, this year's effort kicked off on Feb. 1 with town staff and elected officials wearing red for AHA's "Go Red for Women Day."

"It's the American Heart Association's day to publicize that cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women," said Milici, speaking to Zip06/The Sound on Feb. 1.  "It's to help raise awareness and make people aware that your heart is very important."

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, causing about one in every four deaths, yet only 54 percent of women recognize heart disease is their number one killer; according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And while nearly 80 percent of cardiac events can be prevented; cardiovascular diseases leading to heart attack and stroke continue to be a woman's greatest health threat, according to AHA.

To help raise funds for AHA's efforts to provide innovative research, advocacy, and patient support, Branford town employees and officials are making monetary donations to participate in "dress down" Fridays at Town Hall for the month of February. To raise public awareness to the cause, Branford Town Hall, the Blackstone Memorial Library and Branford Fire Department headquarters will be lit up in red nightly throughout the month of February, said Milici.

She adds that her personal story is not unlike one many women experience.

"I had the heart attack seven years ago," she said. "I'm a heart attack and cardiac arrest survivor. I didn't really think that genetics played such an important role in your health -- my father died at a young age of a heart attack. And even though I exercised regularly – I had gone skiing ten days before it happened, I was on the treadmill for an hour two days before it happened – it's just something that happened suddenly."

Even before surviving her heart attack, Milici had joined with many others in town to support past efforts centered around AHA organized by downtown merchant Sally Attianese. For several years, the Branford Merle Norman Cosmetics owner held an annual AHA benefit.

"We started hanging a 'Go Red for Women' banner on town hall, and there was a group of us that would go to her events," said Milici.  "Although Sally is no longer holding those events, we still continue to turn Town Hall red, and we get everybody together to do dress down Fridays for the month of February and raise money for the American Heart Association."

Milici said women often ignore signs of heart attack and stroke because they don't expect to experience them and may not know what common signs are (see related document). She highly recommends women take a moment to learn more about what's at stake by visiting the websites of AHA at https://www.heart.org/ or Go Red for Women (click here ).

"There's a lot of really good information on the American Heart Association website and on the Go Red For Women website. There's a very good video especially for women to watch, because it tells the story about a typical woman," said Milici, who's shared the video with as many friends and family as possible. "You kind of ignore your signs. You say, 'Oh well, maybe I just have the flu. Maybe I don't feel good, but I've got a lot on my plate so this can't happen to me today -- I've got to take care of the kids, I've got to go to work and take care of my husband.' It's a really great, eye-opening video."