Why does the United States go red every February? The valiant reason behind this annual phenomenon is the Wear Red Campaign, as part of American Heart Month. February is time to highlight the importance of cardiovascular health. However, each year we acknowledge the significant impact heart disease has on women, specifically.
On Wear Red Day, the first Friday in February, you’ll notice a wave of red as the nation comes together in honor of all the women directly affected by heart disease and stroke. Wear Red Day, or Go Red For Women raises national awareness about the number one cause of death in women in the United States and works to educate everyone about ways to combat cardiovascular issues.
History of Wear Red Day
Wear Red Day began as The Go Red for Women campaign in 2004 when the American Heart Association reported heart disease and stroke as the number 1 cause of death in women. Wear Red Day counters misconceptions about heart disease that typically focus on its threat to men. Contrary to common belief, heart disease affects men and women in the United States equally.
Now nearly two decades later, Wear Red Day continues to be a beacon for change toward cardiovascular health. The campaign has championed a movement towards better heart health education regarding prevention and underlying factors that may lead to further issues. Thanks to years of raising awareness and educating the country, more women than ever are learning about heart disease and stroke and the ways they can prevent them.
Not only is red becoming synonymous with heart health, but the red dress has also become one of the most empowering fashion statements in the U.S. In fact, the campaign has even established a popular annual fashion show, The Red Dress Collection. Like the day itself, the Red Dress fashion show has grown significantly since its inception. Today, each year’s collection features two of the world’s best fashion designers’ brilliant red gowns and outfits worn by top models, prominent singers, actresses, activists, and leaders.
Heart health by the numbers
Nearly 500,000 women in the United States die from heart disease and stroke every year. This makes cardiovascular diseases (CVD) more fatal for women than all types of cancer combined. Still, only 55 percent of women realize the deadly consequences of heart disease. The common misconception that heart disease is more of a prominent disease for men may influence this fact. While it’s true that both men and women experience cardiovascular issues equally, how they experience them can differ significantly.
For example, heart attack symptoms in women are often unrelated to chest pain, unlike in men.
Instead, women may experience sweating, nausea, indigestion, and fatigue, typically offputting symptoms when associated with CVD. Furthermore, unfamiliar symptoms can lead to more heart damage for women due to often lower levels of urgency associated with these signs.
Possibly the most shocking misconception about heart disease is that 75% of cardiovascular diseases are preventable. Research shows consistent exercise, adequate sleep, lowered alcohol intake, and actively reducing stress can dramatically decrease the chance of heart disease. Also, controlled blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels are essential. Unfortunately, less than half of women in the United States know what a healthy blood pressure or cholesterol level even looks like.
All women should be mindful of the possibility of heart disease. Furthermore, strokes, though commonly believed to be an older person’s ailment, are experienced by any age, even infants. However, several factors—including diabetes, menopause, and a family history of early heart disease—may place some women at higher risk for heart disease than others.
How to support Wear Red Day
Raising awareness on Wear Red Day can be as simple as donning your favorite red outfit. Whether posting a selfie on social media with the hashtag #GoRedWearRed or wearing red on your daily errands, your fashion choice can help spark transformative discussions.
You can also buy red gear from the American Heart Association, directly benefiting cardiovascular disease research and advocacy. If you’re interested in more prolonged efforts, try joining the Go Red Get Fit challenge, the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women initiative, motivating women to live more healthy lives. More simply, sharing facts and myth-busting in everyday discussions can help to change societal misconceptions around cardiovascular disease. Wear Red Day is just 24 hours, but its influence lasts year-round.
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