Heart Health Through Awareness and Action

People wear red during the first week of February to bring attention to the disproportionate impact of heart disease on women. This annual observance, known as National Wear Red Day, highlights the leading cause of death in women—and the steps we can take to prevent it.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among American women—claiming one in three lives, or nearly one woman every minute. Prioritizing heart health isn’t optional; it’s essential.

Awareness matters because 64% of women who die suddenly from heart disease had no prior symptoms, and 90% have at least one risk factor. Since heart disease and stroke often present differently in women than in men, recognizing the signs can save lives.

While understanding the risks is critical, taking action saves lives. You cannot change your genes, but you can change your habits, which can have long-term effects on your heart health.

Start with these:

• Aim for 150 minutes of exercise each week.
• Eat heart-healthy foods—more fruits and vegetables and less saturated fat, sugar, and salt.
• Quit smoking
• Limit alcohol to one drink per day or less
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Get enough sleep

See your doctor to monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides; medication may help if lifestyle changes aren’t enough.

Wear red to help raise awareness about women’s heart health, share your red on social media to spread the word, and consider supporting the American Heart Association. Your assistance can help advance critical research, improve treatment, and promote heart-healthy lifestyles that save lives. Most importantly, take action—because awareness starts the conversation, but action creates real change.