Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death for American women? One out of every three women will die from the disease. More American women die of heart disease than all cancers combined.

Join the fight against heart disease in women. Join women and men nationwide on February 3 and wear red to raise awareness that heart disease is the number one killer of women. Encourage your family, friends, and coworkers to do the same.

The good news is you can reduce your risk for heart disease by as much as 82 percent by simply leading a healthy lifestyle. The U.S. Office on Women’s Health offers these steps to better heart health:

1. Don’t smoke, and if you do, quit. Women who smoke are two to six times more likely to suffer a heart attack than non-smoking women. Smoking also boosts your risk of stroke and cancer.
2. Aim for a healthy weight. It’s important for a long, vigorous life. Overweight and obesity cause many preventable deaths.
3. Get moving. Make a commitment to be more physically active. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity on most, preferable all, days of the week.
4. Eat for heart health. Choose a diet low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol and moderate in total fat.
5. Know your numbers. Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure, cholesterol (total, HDL, LDL, triglycerides), and blood glucose. Work with your doctor to improve any numbers that are not normal.

Get Your Free Red Dress Pin and More Heart Health Information!

The red dress is the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness. Join the Go Red for Women movement by calling the American Heart Association at 1-888-MY-HEART or signing up online at the website www.americanheart.org. You will receive a free red dress lapel pin plus an educational brochure with more information on how to reduce your risk for heart disease.

Sources: “The Heart Truth Campaign,” U.S. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, www.hearttruth.gov. “Go Red for Women,” American Heart Association, www.americanheart.org.