Why We Wear Red

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States.

February is National Heart Month. And on National Wear Red Day, Friday, Feb. 6, people across America will wear red to help raise awareness about heart disease in women.

Why We Wear Red

1. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, killing nearly 422,000 each year.
2. Although heart disease is sometimes thought of as a "man's disease," around the same number of women and men die each year of heart disease in the United States. Following a heart attack, approximately 1 in 4 women will die within the first year, compared to 1 in 5 men.
3. Some conditions and lifestyle choices increase a person's chance for heart disease, including diabetes, overweight and obesity, poor diet, physical inactivity, and excessive alcohol use.
4. High blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking are key risk factors for heart disease. Lowering your blood pressure and cholesterol and not smoking will reduce your chances for heart disease.

What You Can Do For Heart Health

You can lower your chance of heart disease and heart attack by taking simple steps.

• Eat a healthy diet.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Be active. Exercise regularly.
• Be smoke free.
• Limit alcohol use. See your health care provider for a checkup, especially if you have any risk factors or symptoms.
• Talk to your health care provider and ask questions to better understand your health.
• Know your family history. There may be factors that could increase your risk for heart disease and stroke.

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Heart health information provided by the CDC.