Today is the 13th National “Go Red for Women” Day.
Since 2003, the first Friday in February has been designated as a time to raise awareness about heart disease, the number 1 killer of women.
The American Heart Association and National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute developed the day to take action against the disease which was claiming the lives of 50,000 American women every year. Contrary to popular belief, heart disease affects more women than men in the US.
Wearing red today will signify your awareness and support of efforts to curtail the illness. Red was chosen as it stands out and catches the eye and some say it’s a confidence booster making one feel powerful.
In the past 13 years there’ve been many accomplishments attributed to spreading more light on heart disease.
Nearly 90% of women have made at least one health behavior change, more than a third have lost weight, 50% have increased exercise and death in women has decreased by more than 30 percent over the past 10 years.
However, more work is needed as 1 in 3 women still die from heart disease and stroke every year.
For more information on Go Red for Women day go to go-red-for-women-dot-org.