Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for women in the United States.[1] On Friday, February 6, National Wear Red Day®, people and landmarks across the nation will “go red” to raise awareness of women’s No. 1 killer.
The American Heart Association, devoted to changing the future to a world of healthier lives for all, is working to raise awareness that heart disease and stroke can happen at any age and nearly 45% of women over age 20 are living with some form of CVD.[2] On National Wear Red Day, the Heart Association urges everyone to join the Go Red for Women® movement in championing better health and well-being for all women by wearing red and spreading awareness. You can join the conversation online by sharing on social media using #WearRedDay, #WearRedAndGive and #GoRedMaine.
The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement, nationally sponsored by CVS Health, is asking women to make bold moves today for a healthier tomorrow:
- Know your numbers: Maintaining good blood pressure, blood glucose, total cholesterol and body mass index can lower your risk for heart disease and stroke.
- Join Research Goes Red to help ensure more women are represented and counted when it comes to scientific discovery: Women continue to be underrepresented in cardiovascular research
- Learn Hands-Only CPR and be equipped with the knowledge to save a life: women are less likely to receive bystander CPR
“National Wear Red Day is about more than kicking off American Heart Month, it’s about everyone coming together to support the health and well-being of our mothers, daughters, sisters and the people who love them,” said Denise McDonough, Maine Go Red for Women volunteer chair and President of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine. “This is a great example of people across the country, not just here in Maine, banding together to unite for women’s health – and the health of our communities.”
Find resources to support women’s heart health at every age and stage of life at GoRedforWomen.org and learn more about National Wear Red Day at WearRedDay.org. Go Red for Women is locally sponsored by Northern Light Mercy Hospital, MaineHealth, WEX, Inc., Spectrum Healthcare Partners, Hannaford Supermarkets, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, KeyBank, Cross Insurance and The Standard. Media sponsors are Channel 8 WMTW, 101.9 POR and Mainebiz.
For more information about the Maine Go Red for Women movement, contact Lindsay Colle at Lindsay.Colle@heart.org or visit www.Heart.org/MaineGoRed.
[1] https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001139#core-R1-1