National Wear Red Day highlights heart disease as leading killer of women

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) —Friday is National Wear Red Day, an annual event held on the first Friday of February to raise awareness about heart disease — the leading cause of death for women in the United States.

The day is organized by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the American Heart Association to encourage women to learn more about their heart health and take preventive steps.

Health officials say one in three women dies from cardiovascular disease, making awareness and early prevention critical. That includes knowing important health numbers like blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar.

Wearing red serves as a visible show of support and a reminder of the seriousness of heart disease — while also sparking conversations about how women can protect their heart health.

Doctors encourage regular checkups, healthy eating, physical activity, and managing stress as key ways to lower the risk of heart-related illness.