Newsgram

The Go Red For Women movement is making progress in increasing awareness of women's heart health and encourages everyone to wear red on Friday, Feb. 5.

February is considered American Heart Month, and the first Friday in February has been designated for National Wear Red Day. Everyone across the country is encouraged to don the color red on this day in order to raise and spread awareness in hopes to help eradicate heart disease and stroke in millions of women all over the nation.

Heart disease is the number one killer of women, according to the American Heart Association. Heart disease and stroke cause nearly 1 in 3 deaths among women each year. Eighty percent of cardiac and stroke events may be prevented with education and lifestyle modifications.  

Women are more likely to die of heart disease than breast cancer. Women can minimize their risk of heart disease with some key lifestyle choices. Maintaining body weight in the ideal range is important and can be achieved through diet and exercise. Knowing your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol numbers is also important.

Wear Red on Feb. 5th and please feel free to copy @Newsgram on any #WearRedDay pictures that you tweet or email them to newsgram@stlouis-mo.gov.

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