Heart Health: What To Know About Cardiovascular Health On National Wear Red Day
NEW YORK (WLNY) -- Friday is National Wear Red Day.
The American Heart Association, along with the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, created the day to raise awareness for cardiovascular disease in women.
Each year, on the first Friday in February, millions of women and men come together to wear red, take action and commit to fighting this deadly disease.
Cardiologist Dr. Kevin Campbell joined The Couch to discuss the importance of heart health for women and fill us in on what we can all do to keep our heart healthy.
Heart disease does not affect only men. In February we focus on the GO Red for Women Campaign-designed to improve CV care for women.
- 90 percent of women have at least one risk factor for heart disease
- Women are under treated and under-served when it comes to CV disease
- Symptoms in women may be different that they are in men
Since the first National Wear Red Day 10 years ago, tremendous strides have been made in the fight against heart disease in women, including:
- 21 percent fewer women dying from heart disease
- 23 percent more women aware that it's their No. 1 health threat
- Publishing of gender-specific results, established differences in symptoms and responses to medications and women-specific guidelines for prevention and treatment
- Legislation to help end gender disparities
- But the fight is far from over as still hundreds of thousands of women still die each year. It's time to stand stronger, speak louder and join us in the fight this National Wear Red Day.
