February is American Heart Month, on the first Friday of the month (February 3, 2023) is National Wear Red Day, a day to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease in women and to help save lives.

American Heart Month is when the nation spotlights heart disease.

The term “heart disease” refers to several heart conditions, including coronary artery disease and heart attack.

Cardiovascular disease is the #1 killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year.

Women also experience unique life events, pregnancy and menopause that can have an impact on heart disease risks.

The American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” movement was launched in 2004. The goal was to raise awareness and fight one of the greatest health threats woman face.

Women are more likely than men to feel non-specific symptoms. In addition to the commonly known symptoms, a person may feel breathlessness, chest pain, or pressure. Women may experience:
• Neck, jaw, upper back, or upper belly discomfort
• Pain in one or both arms
• Nausea & vomiting
• Migraine
• Fatigue
• Heartburn
• Sleep changes
• Feeling “out of it”

Show your heart some love by:
• Preparing tasty, nutritious meals.
• Control hypertension
• Following a bedtime routine that allows for 7 to 9 hours of sleep
• Stress less
• Get a daily dose of physical activity
• Take your medications as prescribed and keep your medical appointments

It may seem trivial to wear red on the first Friday in February, but you may save a life just by making someone aware.

#visionsourcesouthhills
#eyegotcha
#PittsburghEyeCare
#PittsburghOptometrist
#goredforwomen

Sources:
www.nhlbi.nih.gov
www.goredforwomen.org
www.today.com
www.cdc.gov