National Wear Red Day

National Wear Red Day History

National Wear Red Day is dedicated to raising awareness about the number one health concern for women: heart disease. The purpose of the campaign is to educate the public, particularly women, about the risks of heart disease and the necessary measures to prevent and treat it. Participants are encouraged to incorporate the color red into their attire in a show of solidarity.

This significant public health campaign was first initiated by the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in 2003. It arose as part of an initiative called The Heart Truth, aimed at alerting women to their risk of heart disease. Since then, the event has gained momentum and now takes place nationwide, featuring activities that include fashion shows, fundraisers and health screenings.

Over the years, this event has made remarkable strides in promoting women's cardiovascular health, leading to substantial increases in awareness and positive changes in behavior. By wearing red, participants visually communicate the importance of heart health to those around them. The annual campaign is observed on the first Friday of February each year, aligning with the American Heart Month for a combined effort to enhance the understanding of heart disease.

Facts about National Wear Red Day

• According to the CDC, heart disease has been the leading cause of death in both men and women in the U.S. since 1921.
• According to the CDC, the states with the highest heart disease mortality in 2023 are:
  1) Louisiana – 13,138
  2) Alabama – 16,413
  3) Oklahoma – 11,856
  4) Mississippi – 9,660
  5) Arkansas – 7,771
• According to the CDC, cardiovascular diseases take the lives of 18 million people globally each year.
• Factors that increase the risk of heart disease include:
  - Physical inactivity
  - Increased cholesterol levels
  - High blood pressure
  - Smoking
  - Diabetes
  - Obesity
• I saw many people who had advanced heart disease and I was so frustrated because I knew if they just knew how to do the right thing, simple lifestyle and diet steps, that the entire trajectory of their life and health would have been different - Mehmet Oz, Dr. Oz Show Host and Cardiothoracic Surgeon

In the News and Trending for National Wear Red Day

Top things to do for National Wear Red Day

• Raise awareness for heart disease research. Volunteer with the local heart disease fundraising organization in your area.
• Wear red on National Wear Red Day to raise awareness of heart disease and strokes in women.
• Visit your family health physician and get blood pressure, body mass index and cholesterol tests in order to further discuss your risks to heart disease and take preventative measures.
• To prevent heart disease, get at least 30 minutes of daily exercise. Opt to head out for a brisk walk, a light run, swimming or biking.
• Purchase one of many watches or download aps that monitor your daily steps, heart rate and food consumption. Garmin and Apple both sell watches while aps such as My Fitness Pal and Runkeeper monitor steps and food consumption.