February 4th is National Wear Red Day!

February is American Heart Month, and Friday, February 4th is National Wear Red Day. Wear Red Day was established in 2004 by the American Heart Association to raise awareness for heart disease and honor the women who have been affected by cardiovascular disease. A 2021 data report from the American Heart Association found that heart disease takes more lives than all cancers combined. Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in the United States. Women are disproportionately impacted by heart disease, with instances of heart disease starting as soon as women’s early twenties.

While Heart Disease is one of the biggest threats to women’s health, there is a lack of awareness and education on the disease. The National Wear Red Day campaign aims to bridge this knowledge gap and is committed to educating women on heart health and promoting preventative measures to decrease their risk of cardiovascular disease. While the effects of Heart Disease are devastating, the American Heart Association reports that many cardiovascular disease risk factors are preventable when early steps are taken. Understanding early signs, risk factors, and prevention methods are crucial to decreasing heart disease risk. For a comprehensive overview of heart disease-related warning signs, click here.

Prevention tactics consist of 3 main categories: Nutrition, exercise, and education. The best way to use nutrition to decrease the risk of Heart Disease is by incorporating fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats and grains into your daily diet. Exercising and moving your body for just 30 minutes a day can also drastically decrease the risk of Heart Disease. Lastly, education on prevention tactics and spreading awareness for Heart Disease are crucial in reducing the threat of Heart Disease in the United States. Click here to learn more prevention tactics, including stress management, lifestyle change, sleep management, and mental health improvement methods.

Join Southside Support in celebrating National Wear Red Day by wearing red today, spreading awareness for Heart Disease this month, and sharing how Heart Disease has touched your life!