The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement raises awareness and critical funds for women’s cardiovascular health
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in women[1], yet less than half of women are aware of this. The American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, is changing women’s health through the Go Red for Women® movement. Since 2004, Go Red for Women has addressed awareness and clinical care gaps of a woman’s greatest health threat.
The initiative unites women across the globe to understand their risk and fight back against their No. 1 killer. Go Red for Women is where community and connection meet action. Typically, red means stop, danger, proceed with caution, but your heart health can’t wait. All women need to take steps to safeguard their health and well-being. When it comes to Go Red for Women, Red Means Go!
The Hampton Roads Go Red for Women event empowered over 350 women and men to learn about women’s heart health and support lifesaving research, education and advocacy. The program honored survivors, celebrated advancements in heart health and raised over $300,000 and counting to continue better identify, diagnose, treat and prevent CVD in women.
“Cardiovascular disease is still the No. 1 killer of women, and events like this one are essential to raising awareness and providing education so women understand their risks — and how to reduce them,” said Amber Price, Hampton Roads Go Red for Women co-chair and senior vice president and enterprise chief nursing officer for Sentara Health. “Together, we can ensure every woman is supported and no one faces this journey alone.”
Nearly half of women aged 20 and older are living with some form of cardiovascular disease.[2] Women also experience unique life stages, like pregnancy and menopause, that can affect their risk.[3] Yet, women continue to be underrepresented in cardiovascular research. They are also less likely to receive CPR from a bystander.[4]
Go Red for Women is meeting the health and wellness needs of women now, and at every age, every stage and every season of their lives as their trusted, relevant source for credible health solutions. Go Red for Women is also focused on supporting women-centric research and committed to closing gaps in care and support.
“Through Go Red for Women, we’re investing in research and solutions designed for women’s unique health needs,” said Alexis Swann, Hampton Roads Go Red for Women co-chair and president of TowneBank Peninsula and Williamsburg. “Here in Hampton Roads, that means improving hypertension rates and outcomes, because women deserve support for their health and well-being at every age and stage of life.”
Women are not waiting. Women are not slowing down. Through Go Red for Women, women are taking action to live longer and healthier. Red Means Go.
Go Red for Women is nationally sponsored by CVS Health and the Hampton Roads Go Red for Women movement is locally sponsored by Sentara Health, TowneBank, Riverside Health, Bon Secours, Goodman and Sons Jewelers, Hudgins Contracting and Newport News Shipbuilding a Division of HII. For more information contact Laura Bynum at 757-812-4654 or visit www.heart.org/hamptonroadsgored.
[1] https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001139#core-R1-1
[2] https://professional.heart.org/-/media/phd-files-2/science-news/2/2025-heart-and-stroke-stat-update/factsheets/2025-stats-update-fact-sheet-women-and-cvd.pdf
[3] https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001124
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001212
[4] https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.118.037692