The post is part of the series “Life Stories” where we asked our customers to tell us their stories on why they wear a medical ID.

My Medical ID Can Mean the Difference Between Life and Death

I’m a mother of three with a 15 year old and twin girls that are 15 months. When I was 7 months pregnant I delivered early. One was born natural, I barley had time to get to the delivery room. She was 4lbs. The other was a c-section because she was head up and only 3lbs. After the birth, I had to visit them in the hospital in the NICU for a month.

It is hard to explain to those who don’t know what it is like to be in pain or feel sick on the inside and look perfectly fine on the outside. Wearing a medical ID can help spread awareness of invisible illnesses like Crohn’s Disease, PTSD, Anxiety, Bipolar, Depression, Diabetes, Lupus, Fibromyalgia, MS, ME, M.D., Arthritis, Cancer, Heart Disease, Epilepsy, Severe Allergies, Dementia, Alzheimer’s and more!

• Nearly 1 in 2 Americans (133 million) has a chronic condition
  Chronic Care in America: A 21st Century Challenge, a study of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation & Partnership for Solutions: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (September 2004 Update). “Chronic Conditions: Making the Case for Ongoing Care”.

If you’ve recently switched to a healthier diet, you might be surprised to learn that even some healthy foods are better than others. Select fruits, wines and fish, known as “superfoods,” help to promote heart health with extra benefits such as antioxidants and omega-3’s.

1. Red Wine

In addition to being a relaxing and tasty beverage, red wine has been shown to increase HDL cholesterol – that’s the good kind. This form of cholesterol is essential in fighting the formation of blood clots. Rich in powerful antioxidants, red wine provides cardiovascular benefits as well. Moderation is key – a glass a day is sufficient to boost your heart’s health.

What was once thought of as a man’s disease, heart disease has taken the lives of more women than cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and accidents combined. Taking preventative measures from is more necessary now than ever due to rising insurance costs. In 1999, the American Heart Association (AHA) published the first set of recommendations for preventing this deadly disease based on clinical research. Now, more than 10 years later, women need something a little more straightforward to keep them on track to good heart health.

Taking diversity into account

Every woman is different and the following life factors must be taken into consideration when devising a preventative plan: