February is a time to think of love… and your heart! It seems like everyone is wearing red in February. Some wear red to celebrate their relationships, but others wear red for a different reason. National Wear Red Day is an annual event celebrated on the first Friday in February. The NHLBI and other organizations sponsor National Wear Red Day to garner attention for heart disease. By raising awareness about cardiovascular disease, you can help save lives.

This year, National Wear Red Day is February 2, 2024. The day was first introduced by The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute along with the American Heart Association because heart disease claimed the lives of about 500,000 women every year. Still, this fact was not discussed and not known to the general public. In 2023, National Wear Red Day was announced to eliminate heart disease and strokes in women. The day is focused on saving women’s lives this day due to heart attacks and strokes. There are many surprising statistics that many people, especially women, may not be aware of.

According to the CDC, “heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States.” Below are a few facts from the CDC about heart disease you may not know:

• One person dies every 33 seconds in the United States from cardiovascular disease.
• Every year, about 805,000 people in the United States have a heart attack.
• 1 in 5 heart attacks are silent – the damage is done, but the person is not aware of it.
• High blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and smoking are the top risk factors for heart disease.

To prevent heart disease, there are many lifestyle changes you can make. The CDC has many great suggestions; the first is to lower the consumption of foods that are high in saturated and trans-fat. One way to lower your cholesterol is to increase the foods you eat that are high in fiber. It is also suggested to reduce your salt, alcohol, and sugar intake. By reducing these items, you can reduce your overall blood pressure, which is critical for increased heart health. Another lifestyle change you can make to increase your heart health is to eat more vegetables and reduce the amount of processed foods. 

To prevent heart disease, there are many lifestyle changes you can make. The CDC has many great suggestions; the first is to lower the consumption of foods that are high in saturated and trans-fat. One way to lower your cholesterol is to increase the foods you eat that are high in fiber. It is also suggested to reduce your salt, alcohol, and sugar intake. By reducing these items, you can reduce your overall blood pressure, which is critical for increased heart health. Another lifestyle change you can make to increase your heart health is to eat more vegetables and reduce the amount of processed foods.

Steps to Take Now:

1.  Get your blood pressure checked.
2. Get your cholesterol checked.
3. Find Your BMI (Body Mass Index). This is directly linked to your risk of heart disease.
4. Get Moving! Exercising on a regular basis can reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke.

5.    Know the facts. Strokes can happen to women of any age, and women are more likely to suffer from a stroke than men. Get a regular checkup from your general practitioner. Be sure to let your doctor know if there are any symptoms you may be experiencing.

To read more about common symptoms of a heart attack in women click HERE

What to Wear on February 2^nd – National Wear Red Day!

Many men will wear a standard red button-down shirt for Wear Red Day. Some choose the minimalist approach of wearing red socks or perhaps a red tie or pocket scarf. Women, on the other hand, have many options to show off their support for Wear Red Day. Some women wear red dresses or head-to-toe red. Other women also like to show their support in a more subtle way. Wearing a lapel pin is a traditional way to show support for either gender. No matter what occasion you find yourself in this February 2nd, a simple red ribbon on your lapel can begin a life-saving conversation with someone.

Lapel Pins To Wear On National Wear Red Day:

American Heart Month - Red Dress Pin

Red Ribbon Pin

Red Ribbon Butterfly Pin

One eye-catching way to make a statement is to use a red-themed virtual background or change your social media images for the day. With so many of us still working virtually or on a hybrid work schedule, this is a wonderful way to show your support for Heart Disease Awareness with a large audience.

Click Here to Go to The CDC Website for Free Downloadable Red Day Images

References:

Heart Disease Facts. CDC.gov

https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm#:~:text=Heart%20disease%20is%20the%20leading,groups%20in%20the%20United%20States.&text=One%20person%20dies%20every%2033,United%20States%20from%20cardiovascular%20disease.&text=About%20695%2C000%20people%20in%20the,1%20in%20every%205%20deaths.

Choose Healthy Habits. CDC.gov

https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/prevention.htm