The first Friday each February, American Heart Month, the nation comes together, igniting a wave of red from coast to coast.
From landmarks to online communities, neighborhoods to news anchors, this annual groundswell unites millions of people for a common goal: the eradication of heart disease.
Heart disease is a leading cause of death among Americans, especially women. Knowing the risk factors and creating healthy habits can help the women we know and love reduce their risk for heart disease.
Risk factors for heart disease are:
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Overweight/Obesity
- Physical Inactivity
- Diabetes
- Family history of early coronary heart disease
- Age (for women, 55 and older)
Heart disease is largely preventable. Here’s what you can do now to reduce your risk:
- Don’t smoke
- Eat for heart health
- Aim for 30 minutes of physical activity at least 5 days a week
- Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose
This Friday, February 4th, wear red to raise awareness about heart disease in women!
