Wear Red for Women’s Health this National Wear Red Day

ROCHESTER, N.Y., — Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for women in the United States.1 On Friday, February 6, National Wear Red Day®, people and landmarks across the nation will “go red” to raise awareness of women’s No. 1 killer.

Across Rochester, supporters are wearing red and coming together for community events throughout the day. The University of Rochester will host CPR demonstrations in the hospital lobby, Rochester Regional Health will provide heart-healthy education and Hands-Only CPR demonstrations at the Rochester Americans game, and city landmarks will light up red in the evening.

The American Heart Association, devoted to changing the future to a world of healthier lives for all, is working to raise awareness that heart disease and stroke can happen at any age and nearly 45% of women over age 20 are living with some form of CVD.2 On National Wear Red Day, the Heart Association urges everyone to join the Go Red for Women® movement in championing better health and well-being for all women by wearing red and spreading awareness. You can join the conversation online by sharing on social media using #WearRedDay, #WearRedAndGive and #GoRedforWomen.

The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement, nationally sponsored by CVS Health, is asking women to make bold moves today for a healthier tomorrow:

• Know your numbers: Maintaining good blood pressure, blood glucose, total cholesterol and body mass index can lower your risk for heart disease and stroke.

• Join Research Goes Red to help ensure more women are represented and counted when it comes to scientific discovery: Women continue to be underrepresented in cardiovascular research

• Learn Hands-Only CPR and be equipped with the knowledge to save a life: women are less likely to receive bystander CPR

“National Wear Red Day is about more than kicking off American Heart Month, it’s about everyone coming together to support the health and well-being of our mothers, daughters, sisters and the people who love them,” said Megan Vargulick, executive director of the American Heart Association Rochester. “This is a great example of people across the country, not just here in Rochester, banding together to unite for women’s health. And the health of our communities.”

Find resources to support women’s heart health at every age and stage of life atGoRedforWomen.org and learn more about National Wear Red Day at WearRedDay.org. For more information about the Rochester Go Red for Women movement, contact Michelle Marks-Hook at Michelle.Marks-Hook@Heart.org or visit Heart.org/GoRedRoc.