Let’s Go Red For Women

From landmarks to online communities, neighborhoods to news anchors, February unites millions of people for a common goal: the eradication of heart disease and stroke.

It’s not just a man’s disease.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S., but women are seriously under-diagnosed. That’s partly because heart disease is still widely considered a “man’s disease,” which is why spreading awareness during Heart Month is so important. We need to remind women to reclaim their health and be their own advocates.

Did you know?

When presenting with symptoms, research shows that women are sometimes less likely to receive a diagnosis of heart disease or to have heart-related tests when compared to men.

The rate of heart attack and stroke is on the rise in women less than 60 years old.

Certain heart attack-related symptoms that are more common in women than men, such as fatigue, nausea, dizziness, and excess sweating, can often be misdiagnosed as other conditions.

Some risk factors for heart disease are unique to women, such as pregnancy-related conditions, which can increase a woman’s risk even up to 10 years after delivery.

Be the beat and support your circle of women.

Go Red for Women, a campaign organized through the American Heart Association, aims to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease in women. The theme of this year’s campaign is “Be the Beat.” Wherever you are in reclaiming your healthy rhythm following the COVID-19 pandemic – keep the beat going – turn up the tempo, set a new goal.

Get your numbers. Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure and cholesterol. Suggest your friends do the same.

Own your lifestyle. Stop smoking, lose weight, and exercise. Form an accountability group and make positive changes together.

Realize your Risk. We think it won’t happen to us, but heart disease kills one in five women.

Educate your family. Make healthier food choices and teach loved ones and friends the importance of staying active.

Don’t be silent. Tell every woman you know that heart disease is our number one killer.

Let your voice be heard.

Show your support of the Go Red for Women movement by taking photos of you and your besties wearing red during Heart Month. From now through, February 28 share your photos on social media and use the hashtags #GoRedForWomen and #HeartMonth to pick up on the trend.

You can even share your photos with Cardiovascular Experts by tagging us @cardiovascularexperts on Facebook or @cardioexperts on Twitter.

Happy Heart Month!