This Friday is National Wear Red Day

What is National Wear Red Day?

It is in support of women’s heart health.

Help celebrate the kick-off to American Heart Month and National Wear Red Day on Friday, February 1, 2008, by wearing red in support of women’s heart health. National Wear Red Day promotes the symbol and provides an opportunity for everyone to unite in this life-saving awareness movement by showing off a favorite red dress, shirt, or tie, or Red Dress Pin.

The Red Dress—the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness—was designed to build awareness that women are at risk for heart disease, and motivate them to take action to reduce their risk.

Follow The Heart Truth and learn about heart disease in women this February, and throughout the year, through a series of exciting events taking place across the nation!

Below are several features being highlighted by The Heart Truth:

Heart disease is the #1 killer of women, but many women do not know they are at risk. The Heart Truth campaign aims to give women a personal and urgent wakeup call about their risk of heart disease. The Red Dress is the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness introduced by The Heart Truth in 2003. Talk to your doctor, find out your risk, and take action to lower it.

Tips for having a Healthy Heart

■ Don’t smoke, and if you do, quit. Women who smoke are two to six times more likely to suffer a heart attack than nonsmoking women. Smoking also increases the risk of stroke and cancer.

■ Aim for a healthy weight. It’s important for a long and vigorous life. Overweight and obesity cause many preventable deaths.

■ Get moving. Make a commitment to be more physically active. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity on most--preferably all--days of the week.

■ Eat for a healthy heart. Choose a diet low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol, and moderate in total fat.

■ Know your numbers. Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose. Work with your doctor to improve any numbers that show signs of risk.

Heart Disease Risk Factors

■ High blood pressure

■ High blood cholesterol

■ Diabetes

■ Smoking

■ Being overweight

■ Being physically inactive

■ Having a family history of early heart disease

■ Being 55 or older

Iowa Avenue is providing you with this information so you may make informed choices.

The Heart Truth for Women Brochure

The campaign brochure features women telling their own stories about heart disease and provides information about risk factors and a checklist of key questions to ask your doctor.

The Healthy Heart Handbook for Women

The 122-page, full-color, 20th anniversary edition of The Healthy Heart Handbook for Women provides the most recent information on women's heart disease and practical suggestions for reducing your own risk.

To support women’s heart health, don’t forget to wear something red on this Friday to promote and support American Heart Month, because.

After all, it’s about a healthy lifestyle!

© Iowa Avenue