I got this information off the New York Daily news website. *click here for more*
Feb. 5 is National Wear Red Day, when women across the U.S. are encouraged to don a red article of clothing to help build awareness for heart disease, the No. 1 killer of adult females.
Each year nearly half a million women die from heart disease, according to the American Heart Association (AHA), which sponsors the event.
The campaign to educate women about their risks began last year, when the first Wear Red Day was held on Feb. 6, 2009. According to the AHA, the day is a wake-up call to alert women that age, family history and race can’t be changed, but healthy choices can be made to lower the risk of heart disease and stroke.
The movement goes beyond simply wearing red: People who go to goredforwomen.org can download a Wear Red Day “kit” that includes downloadable flyers, posters, e-mail campaigns, fundraising tips and more.
And here are a few facts about heart disease in women:
Worldwide, 8.6 million women die from heart disease each year, accounting for a third of all deaths in women. Three million women die from stroke each year. Stroke accounts for more deaths among women than men (11% vs 8.4%) with additional risk for CHD unique to women related to oral contraceptive use in combination with smoking.
Its well worth your time to read a little more and educate yourself. For more information, this is a great site with lots of facts and tips.
