In the spirit of raising awareness about heart disease among women, the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement continues to gain momentum. Cardiovascular disease remains a pervasive issue, affecting nearly half of all women over 20 years old in the United States.
Despite these staggering numbers, many women remain unaware of their risk or the symptoms they may experience. The campaign emphasizes education, prevention, and early detection as critical steps toward reducing heart disease’s impact.
Key Takeaways
The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign aims to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease in women through education, prevention, and early detection.
- Cardiovascular disease affects nearly half of all adult women over 20 years old in the U.S., yet many remain unaware of their risk or symptoms.
- National Wear Red Day on February 7 highlights healthcare disparities for women and encourages participation by wearing red and sharing awareness messages.
- The campaign promotes initiatives such as Life’s Essential 8, regular screenings, CPR training, and inclusive research to improve heart health outcomes in women.
The impact of cardiovascular disease on women
Approximately 45% of adult females are living with some form of cardiovascular disease, yet awareness lags behind the statistics. Women are often underdiagnosed and undertreated compared to men, leading to poorer health outcomes.
Women still remain underdiagnosed and undertreated. At the American Heart Association, we are working to change the future of health.
Nancy Brown
Symptoms in women tend to be subtler and more varied, including discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or stomach, shortness of breath, nausea, and lightheadedness. These symptoms are often overlooked, delaying care and increasing the risk of severe complications.
For Black women and other underrepresented racial groups, the risks associated with these issues are even greater due to longstanding historical health disparities and the persistent lack of adequate representation in medical research. The pressing need for equitable healthcare solutions and widespread awareness campaigns is now more urgent than ever before.
National Wear Red Day & the Go Red campaign
On February 7, people across the nation observed National Wear Red Day, an initiative aimed at highlighting disparities in healthcare for women. During American Heart Month, wearing red isn’t just a fashion statement—it’s a call to action to close the health gap and ensure women receive the care they need. This movement raises awareness about women’s unique challenges in heart health and encourages meaningful steps toward change.
The Go Red for Women campaign encourages participation in several ways. Supporters can wear red throughout February to spread awareness and share messages on social media using #WearRedAndGive, #HeartMonth, and #GoRedforWomen. Another way to contribute is by purchasing campaign-related items through the AHA’s online store or at participating CVS locations, helping to fund vital heart health programs and initiatives.
Preventing and managing heart disease in women
The American Heart Association promotes several key initiatives to help women understand and manage their heart health. Life’s Essential 8 provides practical steps to maintain heart health at every stage of life, particularly during pregnancy and menopause. Regular screenings are also essential, as monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol levels, BMI, and blood sugar can help detect risks early and prevent cardiovascular events.
CPR training is another important focus, emphasizing the need for families to learn immediate intervention techniques. Quick action during a heart attack can significantly improve survival rates, making CPR knowledge a lifesaving skill. Early education also plays a role in raising awareness and encouraging young girls to learn about heart health through initiatives like themed Valentine’s Day gifts.
Advocacy for inclusive research remains a priority, ensuring that clinical trials accurately represent diverse populations. By supporting research that reflects women’s unique heart health challenges, the goal is to improve care and treatment for all women.
National Wear Red Day serves as a powerful reminder that heart disease is the leading cause of death among women. However, increased education, early detection, and proactive healthcare can significantly improve outcomes.
Women are encouraged to prioritize their heart health, advocate for proper medical attention, and recognize symptoms early. Through the Go Red for Women movement, efforts continue to raise awareness, push for inclusive research, and advocate for policies that ensure all women receive the quality care they need.
With a collective effort, every woman can be equipped with the knowledge and resources to protect her heart and take control of her health.
