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Wear Red Day
Each February, a day is designated National Wear Red Day. Wearing red this month signals all women to take action against heart disease.
 Find out more
Más información
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Heart disease is not just for men. Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States. But too few women are aware of the risk to them or what they can do about it.
Find out the Heart Truth now. The information on this page will help you make your heart health a success story.
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| Who Is At Risk |
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How Do I Know if I Am at Risk?
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If you fall into one of the categories below, you could be at risk for a damaged heart that could lead to disability, heart attack or both.
- High blood pressure
- High blood cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Physically inactive
- Smoking
- Overweight
The Good News
The good news is that heart disease is a problem you can do something about. Both men and women can lower their risk of heart disease by as much as 82 percent by leading a healthy lifestyle. Join the national awareness movement by wearing red on February 4, and encourage your family, friends, and coworkers to do the same. You can control the risk factors listed above.
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| Reduce the Risk |
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10 Simple Ways to a Healthy Heart
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Many heart disease risk factors can be controlled, by making changes in your lifestyle and, in some cases, by taking medication.
- Know your risk factors for heart disease.
- Talk to your doctor about reducing your risk of heart disease.
- Have your blood pressure checked regularly.
- Know your cholesterol numbers. [These include total cholesterol, HDL or “good” cholesterol, LDL or “bad” cholesterol, and triglycerides.]
- Have your blood sugar level checked for diabetes.
- Do not smoke cigarettes or use other tobacco products.
- Eat for your heart health.
- Get regular physical activity. [At least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most or all days of the week.]
- Aim for a healthy weight.
- Know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack and the importance of seeking medical help immediately.
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| Special Groups |
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African American Women
Did You Know?
For African American women, the risk of heart disease is especially great. Heart disease is more prevalent among black women than white women — as are some of the factors that increase the risk of developing it, including high blood pressure, overweight and obesity, and diabetes. |
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Latinas
Did You Know?
Heart disease is the #1 killer of Latinas in the United States. Together with stroke, heart disease accounts for a third of all deaths among Latinas — cancer, the second-leading cause of death, accounts for about a fifth.
Latinas also have high rates of some factors that increase the risk of developing heart disease, such as diabetes, overweight and obesity, and physical inactivity.
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| Their Stories |
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Pattie’s Story
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My doctor diagnosed me as having a heart murmur a couple of years ago and said I should check in with a cardiologist every few years. I started feeling out of breath while doing everyday things, like practicing soccer with my daughter. At first, I just chalked it up to being out of shape, but it got worse. I’ve always had a lot of energy, so I went to my doctor. She told me my heart condition could be fatal if I didn’t get to a hospital very soon...
Full story
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Joan & Bonnie’s Story
Joan’s Story
“Five years ago, I was driving with my sister when I began having shoulder pain. She had experienced a heart attack two weeks earlier, so she drove straight to the hospital. Sure enough, I was having a heart attack. My doctor tells me that if I have another I might not make it through, because the first one damaged my heart.” ..
Full Story
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Bonnie’s Story
“I had a heart attack at the age of 44. I thought I was having indigestion, but when my sister saw the blood drain from my face, she called 9-1-1. I remember thinking, ’Why’s she calling 9-1-1? I’m going to take an antacid and it’s going to go away.’” ...
Full Story
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| En Español |
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El Día Nacional de Vestir de Rojo es un día en que la gente de la nación vestirá de rojo para demostrar su apoyo por tomar conciencia de las enfermedades del corazón en la mujer. Haga promoción del Día Nacional de Vestir de Rojo en su comunidad local e intégrese a The Heart Truth (La verdad acerca del corazón), una campaña destinada a crear conciencia sobre las enfermedades del corazón y la mujer.
Más información
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| Find Out More |
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For more information on the Heart Truth for women, visit these sites:
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