Wear Red Day: Raising Awareness and Supporting Heart Health

Join the Movement to Combat Heart Disease: Learn How to Lead a Heart-Healthy Life

Do you know someone who is living with heart disease? It’s likely that you do. That person may even be you.

Wear Red Day is a national event health held the first Friday of February to raise awareness about heart disease. The leading cause of death for men and women in the United States is heart disease. On this day, people are asked to wear red to show their support for hearth health and to bring attention to heart disease.

Heart disease affects millions of people. In the United States, “one person dies every second . . .?of cardiovascular disease. Every year, about?805,000 people in the United States?have a heart attack. In fact, about?1 in 5 heart attacks are silent—the damage is done, but the person is not aware of it.”

Moreover, heart disease is a leading cause of death for women, and it is estimated that one in every three women will die from heart disease. Women often have different symptoms and risk factors for heart disease compared to men. It is important for women to understand their unique risks and take steps to protect their heart's health.

While men’s most common symptom of heart disease is chest pain or discomfort, women’s symptoms may be more subtle or confused with other health conditions. Some common symptoms of heart disease in women include:

1. Chest pain or discomfort.

2. “Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back.”

3. Shortness of breath: This may occur with or without chest pain or discomfort.

4. Pain or discomfort in other areas of the upper body: This can include the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach.

5. Lightheadedness, nausea, or breaking out in a cold sweat.

Since other health conditions can cause similar symptoms, it is always good practice to check with your doctor if you are experiencing any unusual symptoms. Early detection and treatment can improve outcomes and save a life.

You can take steps to prevent and treat heart disease. Here are five ways to support a heart healthy life while reducing your risk of heart disease:

1. Eat a healthy diet: Focus on eating a diet that is low in saturated and trans fats and high in fiber, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Avoid processed and junk foods. Choose foods that give you a nutritional “bang for the buck” and follow the saying to “eat the rainbow” for the fruits and vegetables on your plate.

2. Exercise regularly: Regular exercise is essential for supporting a healthy heart.

3. Quit smoking: Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease. Quitting smoking not only reduces your heart disease risk, it also improves your overall health.

4. Control your stress: Find ways that work for you to reduce and manage your stress, such as yoga, meditation, brisk walking, breath work.

5. Get regular check-ups: Seeing your doctor regularly can help prevent heart disease and support early detection.

In conclusion, Wear Red Day is an annual reminder to raise awareness about heart disease and encourage people to support a heart healthy life. By knowing the symptoms of heart disease for both women and men, along with eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, not smoking, reducing your stress, and getting regular check-ups, you can help reduce your risk for heart disease and improve your overall health.

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