Heart attack survivor and stress researcher Eliz Greene to be keynote speaker at Austin Go Red for Women Luncheon
AUSTIN, February 4, 2026 — At 35, Eliz Greene’s heart stopped while seven months pregnant with twins. Thanks to a rapid-response open-heart surgery and cesarean section, Greene was able to hold her daughters together for the first time. After recovering, Green began to reevaluate her priorities and stress management. This February, more than 400 Austin women will learn how they can stress-proof their hearts at the American Heart Association-Austin's Go Red for Women Luncheon. The luncheon, held on Feb. 12 at JW Marriott Austin, celebrates advancements in heart health, honors survivors and charts a course toward a world free of cardiovascular disease, which claims the lives of 1 in 3 women.
A stress researcher whose speaking work is grounded on stress physiology, decision-making and performance under pressure, Greene helps audiences recognize the signs and symptoms of stress – as well as the impact it can have over time on health. This research is fully research-supported by psychologists and physicians alike.
“We know diet and exercise matter, but stress is often a silent danger that keeps our bodies in a ‘fight or flight’ mode, raising blood pressure and inflammation,” said Dr. Priyanka Satish, director of the preventative cardiology program at Ascension Texas. “To protect your heart, we must treat stress management as seriously as any medication.”
Based on new cardiovascular research that the American Heart Association released this month, cardiovascular disease remains the No. 1 killer of women in Austin as well as nationally. However, women remain underdiagnosed and undertreated. Women have historically been left out of research, treatment and funding despite their unique life stages like pregnancy and menopause that can increase their risk for cardiovascular disease. Go Red for Women is meeting the health and wellness needs of women now and at every age, stage, and season of their lives. When women come together, change happens.
“As a young heart survivor in the early 2000s, I felt the stigma of heart disease,” said Greene. “People would ask me if I wasn’t taking care of myself. Now, we talk openly about heart disease and women are more aware of the importance of heart health, but there is so much more to do. Even as young women, we are laying the foundation for our future health and quality of life.”
Since 2004, the Go Red for Women movement has raised awareness and addressed clinical care gaps for women. As the movement celebrates more than 20 years of making an impact, the Association, a global force for healthier lives for all, calls on all women to take charge of their health and make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of their community.
Go Red for Women is nationally sponsored by CVS Health; the Austin Go Red for Women Luncheon is presented by Ascension and sponsored by Encompass Health and Texas Mutual Insurance. For more information contact Kimberly.Wright@heart.org or visit www.heart.org/AustinGoRed
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries:
Michael Vybiral: michael.vybiral@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
