When Amy Dwyer was in college working toward a degree in education, she never would have guessed the route her career would take. Education, after all, had enjoyed a long reputation as a stable industry (a.k.a. an industry with jobs available). That was especially true 12 years ago, but for Dwyer, life had other plans.

"I had taught at the beginning of my career, but when I moved to St. Louis, I couldn't find a teaching position so I went to work in the hospitality industry. Hotels had always been interesting to me. Not finding a teaching job gave me the opportunity to pursue that interest. I'm fully behind thinking outside the box," Dwyer said.

Today, Dwyer is the director of the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign in St. Louis.

"I'm all about using my transferable skills," Dwyer laughed. "When I was working in the hospitality industry I was in sales, which is not so very different from the promotion and fundraising aspects of my job today."

When asked about education, Dwyer replied that she still uses that skill, too.

"Go Red for Women started in 2004 as a way to educate women," Dwyer said. "Heart disease takes more lives than the next five causes of death among women combined, including all forms of cancer. It's the #1 killer of women, but most women and men don't realize that. The goal of our Go Red campaign is to create awareness of the importance of heart health for all St. Louis women."

Achieving that goal means that Dwyer is kept busy with lots of education — on both an individual and community basis.

"Throughout the year, Go Red programs educate the community in a variety of ways. We have "Lunch & Learn" events at local businesses where a cardiologist or dietician will present about the risk of heart disease and what women and men can do to lower their risk. We also participate in health fairs and offer blood pressure and cholesterol testing."

"In many households, it's the woman who makes most of the health care decisions, such as making the doctor appointments and encouraging the family to eat healthier and exercise more, so it's vital that she understands the risks. In understanding heart disease, it's important to know your numbers and understand the significance of your good (HDL) and bad (LDL) cholesterol levels, blood pressure and triglyceride levels," Dwyer said.

"Many people think that heart disease is an older person's problem, but in reality, it is the #1 killer of women over age of 20."

"It doesn't have to be that way, because heart disease is so preventable," said Dwyer, ever the educator.

Go Red's largest awareness event each year is an educational luncheon.

"In 2010, the luncheon will be held on Feb. 12 at The Ritz-Carlton. Guest speakers will include a panel of nutritionists and cardiologists who, along with survivors, will share insight, and information. This year's Go Red for Women movement is co-chaired by Brenda Newberry of Newberry Group and Sandra Van Trease of BJC Healthcare," Dwyer said.

Learn more about Go Red for Women and other American Heart Association causes online at www.americanheart.org. The "Get Local Info" tab will redirect you to the St. Louis Heart Association division.