National Wear Red Day

According to the CDC, heart disease claims a life every 33 seconds, making it the leading cause of death for both men and women. That's why recognizing National American Heart Month every February is so important, as it raises awareness about this deadly disease. To bring even greater attention to the importance of heart health, National Wear Red Day was established during the month of February and occurs every year on the first Friday of February. The day encourages everyone to wear red and stand together to support women's heart health by spreading the word about the risks of cardiovascular disease and promoting healthier lifestyles.  

What is National Wear Red Day?  

The American Heart Association (AHA) launched National Wear Red Day as part of the "Go Red for Women" movement in 2004 in response to the alarming statistics surrounding cardiovascular disease in women. At the time, nearly 500,000 women lost their lives from heart disease each year. The AHA wanted to bring attention to this silent epidemic and start a conversation to spread knowledge and encourage action to change the devastating numbers. 

The Statistics:  Why It's Important  

For many years, heart disease was primarily a men's health issue, leading to a lack of awareness about the unique risks women face. As a result, women were not receiving the education they needed about their own risk for heart disease. According to the AHA, shockingly, only 55% of women are aware that heart disease is the leading cause of death for females. 

Some key statistics include: 

• 1 in 3 women die each year from cardiovascular disease. 
• 45% of women 20 years and older are living with some form of cardiovascular disease. 
• Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of new mothers, accounting for over one-third of maternal deaths. 

These statistics highlight the urgency of raising awareness and pushing for better prevention and treatment options.  Heart disease can affect women at any stage of life, making it crucial for women to understand their personal risk factors and family history. Life events such as pregnancy and menopause can also uniquely influence women's heart health, underscoring the importance of staying informed. 

 

How can this movement help women?  

Raising awareness about heart disease during National Heart Month, especially on National Wear Red Day, is an important step in helping women learn and understand that heart disease is not something to be overlooked. Especially since, according to the AHA, women are more likely to experience "silent" heart attacks, where the symptoms can be subtle or mistaken for other conditions.  Often, women do not experience the classic chest pain associated with heart attacks.  Instead, they may feel nausea, shortness of breath, or discomfort in the back, neck or jaw.  Therefore, taking this opportunity each February to spread this knowledge and prioritise heart health allows us to stand together in the fight against heart disease.    

Why The Red Dress? 

The symbol of Go Red for Women is the red dress, chosen to increase visibility and awareness of women's heart health and disease. Although adopted by AHA, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) originally selected the red dress to highlight that heart disease is not just a men's issue. 

How To Participate in National Wear Red Day? 

There are many ways to participate in National Wear Red Day, whether at home, work or in your community.  

The most straightforward way to participate is to wear red, whether it's a t-shirt, dress, socks, or anything else that shows your support. Doing so shows solidarity with those impacted by heart disease and helps spark conversations about heart health.  

Additionally, you can use your platform through social media or with your family and friends to educate others or even share this article.  You could also lead by example and take action with your heart health by making healthier lifestyle choices, eating a balanced diet, staying physically active, and managing stress. 

You can also donate to the AHA, which uses the funds to support awareness, research, education, and community programs that benefit women. These donations allow the AHA to provide educational resources, support heart disease research, and offer prevention efforts.   

This February, let's remember to spread the word that taking care of your heart is one of the most important things you can do for your health and make efforts throughout the year to continue taking action and fighting against heart disease – individually and collectively.