February is American Heart Month, and National Wear Red Day is February 2^nd this year. Millions of people wear red on this day for one reason:  to raise awareness of and eradicate heart disease and stroke. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that 1 in every 4 deaths in the United States is due to heart disease, so chances are we all know at least one person who has been affected. But did you know that heart disease is the #1 cause of death among all women?

According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease will claim the life of one in every three women, making it the leading cause of death among women. Cardiovascular disease also kills more women than all forms of cancer combined, yet only 44% of women recognize the disease as the greatest threat to their health.

It all starts with you. Wearing red on February 2^nd is a wonderful way to begin raising awareness. Encourage friends, family, and coworkers to do the same. Share why you chose to wear red, and how heart disease has affected you and your loved ones. A simple conversation about your outfit could save a life!

Know your health status. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking put you at a greater risk for heart disease and stroke. But most cardiac and stroke episodes can be prevented by simple changes in lifestyle (moving more, eating smarter), managing blood pressure, and education. If you haven’t had a physical exam with bloodwork in a while, don’t put it off any longer. The Go Red for Women Movement encourages women to maintain healthy cholesterol levels, blood pressure, blood sugar and to get moving. You can visit their website here for more tips on healthy living: https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/healthy-living

Spread the word. Don’t let heart disease and stroke take any more of the women we love. You can help save lives! Grab a friend and start a routine of exercising and regularly monitoring blood pressure. It may not seem like much, but you’ll be supporting each other on your journey to a healthier life.

It is possible to change the course of this deadly disease. By supporting and encouraging one another to take control of our heart health, we can make an impact and live our best lives!

Visit https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/ for more helpful resources, tips and downloads to help you reduce your risk of heart disease.