The American Heart Association, through its Go Red For Women movement, urges everyone to support the fight against heart disease by wearing red on National Wear Red Day® - Friday, Feb. 5. American Heart Month is February, a perfect time to focus on the prevalence of heart disease, America's No. 1 killer. It is also a time to pause and celebrate the research and education that make lifesaving advances in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease a reality.
On National Wear Red Day, thousands of people, including employees at many companies, national and local news anchors and talk-show hosts across the country, will wear red to support the cause. Men and women everywhere are encouraged to join in to show their support by wearing red on Feb. 5. The red dress and the color red symbolize one's support in the fight against heart disease. Many Missouri businesses, schools and organizations will be supporting the American Heart Association on National Wear Red Day through a variety of ways - from encouraging employees to wear red or turning their buildings/facilities red in some fashion.
By encouraging the public to share photos on social media using #GoRedWearRed, the American Heart Association hopes to highlight many images from across the state to help boost awareness for this important cause. Other important opportunities for the public to get involved include scheduling a Well-Woman Visit, a prevention check-up to review a woman's overall health so her doctor can measure blood pressure, check cholesterol and look for signs of heart disease, stroke and other illnesses. After scheduling this appointment, women are encouraged to engage others through their social channels, urging contacts to do the same by using the hashtag #WellWomenVisit.
Go Red For Women is the American Heart Association's cause initiative designed to save women's lives. Too many women die each year because they are unaware that heart disease is their No. 1 killer. One in three women dies of this largely preventable disease. While heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, only one in five American women believes heart disease is her greatest health threat. With the right information, education and care, heart disease in women can be treated, prevented, and even ended.
· Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, and is more deadly than all forms of cancer combined.
· Cardiovascular diseases and stroke cause 1 in 3 women's deaths each year, killing approximately one woman every 80 seconds.
· An estimated 44 million women in the U.S. are affected by cardiovascular disease.
· Ninety percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease or stroke.
For more information about American Heart Month or National Wear Red Day, the public is encouraged to visit www.GoRedForWomen.org/WearRedDay.