National Woman’s Heart Day
National Woman’s Heart Day, also known as National Wear Red Day, is an initiative dedicated to spreading awareness about women’s cardiovascular health. It encourages people to wear red clothing items like dresses, pants, or shoes to show support and raise awareness about heart disease in women.
Quick Facts
- When is it?: First Friday in February
- Tagged as: Heart health awareness, Women’s health
- What’s the hashtag?: #GoRedForWomen
- When was it founded?: 2001
- Who founded it?: Tommy Thompson (Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) and Sister to Sister: Everyone Has a Heart Foundation
History of National Woman’s Heart Day
National Woman’s Heart Day was created to expand the prevention of heart disease in women. It began in 2001 when Tommy Thompson and the Sister to Sister: Everyone Has a Heart Foundation launched the initiative with a health fair in Washington, D.C. The event was designed to offer free heart disease screenings, informative sessions with experts, and practical heart health tips. Over the years, these events expanded to multiple cities across the country, reaching more women and helping them understand the unique risks and symptoms of heart disease they face.
Timeline
- 350 BCE: The Greek philosopher Aristotle identifies the heart as the most important organ
- 1628: English physician William Harvey recognizes blood circulation with the heart as the center
- 2001: National Woman’s Heart Day is established
- 2009-2019: Awareness about women’s cardiovascular health drops from 65% to 44%
Dates by Next Year (2025 to 2030)
| Year | Month and Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | February 7 | Friday |
| 2026 | February 6 | Friday |
| 2027 | February 5 | Friday |
| 2028 | February 4 | Friday |
| 2029 | February 2 | Friday |
| 2030 | February 1 | Friday |
Observed National Woman’s Heart Day
The day is observed by wearing red clothing items, participating in heart health screenings, attending educational events, and sharing information about women’s heart health. Health fairs are organized across the country offering free heart disease screenings with same-day results, including risk assessment questionnaires, blood pressure checks, and blood tests for glucose and cholesterol. These events also feature nationally known experts on heart disease, celebrities, chefs, and fitness trainers providing heart-healthy tips through interactive exhibits.
Fun Facts About National Woman’s Heart Day
- Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States, causing one in three deaths every year.
- About 87% of heart disease-related deaths in women can be prevented with proper awareness and lifestyle changes.
- The Go Red for Women initiative that started in America is now licensed in 42 countries worldwide.
- Women often experience different heart attack symptoms than men, with pain radiating to the jaw, neck, and back rather than the classic chest pain.
- Awareness about cardiovascular diseases has dropped most significantly among Hispanic and Black women.
Quiz
- When is National Woman’s Heart Day celebrated?
- What color represents this awareness day?
- What percentage of American women know heart disease is their #1 health risk?
- In what year was National Woman’s Heart Day established?
(Answers: 1. First Friday in February, 2. Red, 3. About half, 4. 2001)
FAQs
Why focus specifically on women’s heart health?
Many people mistakenly believe heart disease is primarily a man’s problem. Women often experience different symptoms than men, which can lead to missed or delayed diagnoses. This day aims to highlight these differences and encourage women to get regular heart check-ups.
How can I participate in National Woman’s Heart Day?
Wear something red, attend a local heart health screening event, share information about women’s heart health on social media using the hashtag #GoRedForWomen, or organize your own awareness event.
What are some warning signs of heart disease in women?
Women may experience unusual fatigue, sleep disturbances, shortness of breath, nausea, indigestion, and pain in the jaw, neck, or back rather than the classic chest pain that men often report.
Importance of National Woman’s Heart Day
National Woman’s Heart Day is crucial because it brings attention to the fact that heart disease is the leading cause of death among women in the United States. The day helps combat the misconception that heart disease primarily affects men and highlights how symptoms can present differently in women. By raising awareness, the day encourages women to take preventive measures, get regular screenings, and adopt heart-healthy lifestyles. It also promotes research into women’s cardiovascular health and advocates for better diagnosis and treatment options tailored specifically to women’s needs.
Related
- American Heart Month (February)
- Women’s Heart Week (February 1-7)
- World Heart Day (September 29)
- International Women’s Day (March 8)
- National Wear Red Day (First Friday in February)