The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, encourages you to ‘wear red and give’ on National Wear Red Day®, Friday, February 5, and take part in the 2021 Go Red for Women Experiences, February 28 in Dallas and April 23 in Tarrant County, to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease: women’s greatest health threat. 

Cardiovascular disease kills one woman every 80 seconds and takes more lives than all forms of cancer combined. Heart disease and stroke also impact the lives of one in three women – or a third of mothers, sisters, and friends – and cardiac events are on the rise in young women in their 20s.

While 80 percent of cardiovascular diseases can be prevented through modest changes to diet and lifestyle, disparities in care for women’s heart and brain health continue to exist. In addition, heart disease and stroke symptoms can present differently in women compared to men. 

North Texans can support the Go Red for Women movement, sponsored nationally by CVS Health and Together to End Stroke sponsor Encompass Health, by taking part in local experiences designed to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease. Opportunities include:

• Go Red LIVE! United in Purpose: Go Red for Women give-a-thon broadcasted on ABC affiliate/local WFAA-TV (Channel 8) on Sunday, February 28 at 12:00 p.m., brought to you by Commercial Metals Company. Hosted by radio personality Kellie Rasberry, viewers can tune in to learn what they need to know about their heart health, hear inspiring stories and musical performances, appearances by women icons, bid on auction items and support the mission of the American Heart Association. For more information: heart.org/dallasgored
• Go Red for Women Experience – Tarrant County on Friday, April 23 at 12:00 p.m. A digital experience, sponsored locally by D&M Auto Leasing, celebrating the women of Tarrant County. Women are invited to join in, take action and take control of their heart health. During the digital experience viewers will learn healthy living strategies to reduce their personal risk for cardiovascular disease, hear inspiring stories of community impact, bid on auction items and help support the mission of the American Heart Association. For more information: heart.org/tarrantcountygored

This year marks the 17th anniversary of the American Heart Association’s launch of the Go Red for Women Movement nationwide. Go Red for Women is rooted in raising awareness among women that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women around the world. Heart disease is not just a problem for “older” men. 

Here’s how you can join Go Red for Women in support of women’s health:

• Wear red on National Wear Red Day, Friday, Feb. 5 to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease – the leading cause of death in women. #WearRedDay
• Support local digital Go Red for Women experiences in February and April. 
• Sign up to participate in the lifesaving clinical trial research through the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement and Verily’s Project Baseline: Research Goes Red initiative. 

To treat, beat and prevent heart disease and stroke, women should understand family health history, know the key personal health numbers – these help determine risk for heart disease and stroke: total cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and body mass index – and make healthy behavior changes like moving more, eating smart and managing blood pressure.

I am honored to welcome Cardiologist, Dr. Nina Asrani, and Executive Director, Emile Blaine, from American Heart Association as guests on my podcast, My So-Called Fabulous, tomorrow, February 2nd. Tune-in then to hear more about protecting your heart and how together, we can fight to beat cardiovascular disease!