February 5 marks National Wear Red Day

Go Red For Women is a national campaign by the American Heart Association.

Go Red For Women, marked by National Wear Red Day on the first Friday each February (February 5), is a reminder that heart disease among women is a serious issue. Heart disease and stroke kill 1 in 3 women, yet it’s 80 percent preventable.

According to the American Heart Association, the campaign’s sponsor, it’s been shown that 80 percent of cardiac events can be prevented with education and lifestyle changes.

The red dress has become the iconic symbol of the battle against heart disease and stroke in women. All are encouraged to wear red on February 5, raise their voices, know their cardiovascular risk and take action to live longer, healthier lives.

Since the first National Wear Red Day in 2003, tremendous strides have been made in the fight against heart disease and stroke in women in the U.S. Through research and education to healthy lifestyle changes:

• Nearly 90% of women have made at least one healthy behavior change.
• More than one-third have lost weight.
• More than 50% have increased their exercise.
• 6 out of 10 have changed their diets.
• More than 40% have checked their cholesterol levels.
• One third have talked with their doctors about developing heart health plans.

Today, nearly 300 fewer women die from heart disease and stroke each day.

To find out more, go to GoRedForWomen.org.