Cardiovascular disease claims the lives of nearly 500,000 American women each year. Yet many women still dismiss it as an older man’s disease. To dispel the myths and raise awareness of heart disease as the No. 1 killer of women, the American Heart Association in 2004 created Go Red For Women, a passionate and emotional social initiative that empowers women to take charge of their heart health.
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The Go Red For Women movement harnesses the energy, passion and power of women to band together to wipe out heart disease. It challenges them to know their risk for heart disease and take action to reduce it. It also gives them the tools to lead a heart healthy life.
Today, about 43 million women of all ethnicities in the United States — including Hispanics —are affected by heart disease:
- Hispanic women are likely to develop heart disease 10 years earlier than Caucasian women.
- Only one in three Hispanic women is aware that heart disease is their No. 1 killer.
- Only three in 10 Hispanic women say they’ve been informed that they’re at a higher risk.
- Only one in four Hispanic women is aware of treatment options.
- Hispanic women are more likely to take preventive actions for their family when it comes to heart health.
For more than a decade, Go Red For Women has united millions of women to raise their voices about this silent killer. We’ve made remarkable progress, but nearly 1,100 women still die each day. And while more than 627,000 women’s lives have been saved, the fight is far from over.
Most women don’t notice the symptoms of heart disease until it’s too late, which is why heart disease has been called the silent killer. But we won’t be silent.
To celebrate the 11th National Wear Red Day on Feb. 7, and throughout American Heart Month in February, Go Red For Women is asking all women across America to join the movement by Going Red and saving women’s lives! To find items to Go Red, visit Shop Heart.
Go Red For Women is about much more than wearing red. It’s about living a healthy lifestyle and speaking red by hablando entre hermanas de corazón a corazón, spreading the message that heart disease is killing our madres, hijas, hermanas y amigas. With your help, many more lives can be saved. Visit GoRedForWomen.org or GoRedCorazon.org to learn more. Be sure to register to get your red dress pin, a national symbol for women and heart disease awareness.
