Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths yearly. However, the simple truth is that most cardiovascular diseases can still be prevented with education and healthy lifestyle changes.

The American Heart Association's signature women's initiative, Go Red for Women, is a comprehensive platform designed to increase women's heart health awareness and catalyzes change to improve women's lives globally. Go Red for Women's goal is to encourage awareness of the issue of women and heart disease and action to save more lives. The movement harnesses the energy, passion, and power women have to band together and collectively wipe out heart disease. It challenges them to know their risk for heart disease and take action to reduce their risk. It also gives them the tools they need to lead a heart-healthy life.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women for several reasons:

• Underestimation of Risk: A common misconception is that heart disease primarily affects men. This misconception leads to underestimating risk among women, resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment. Women may not recognize the signs and symptoms of heart disease or may attribute them to other causes, which can lead to missed opportunities for early intervention.

• Biological Factors: Hormonal changes during menopause can impact women's cardiovascular health. Estrogen is believed to have a protective effect on the heart. After menopause, women experience a decline in estrogen levels, which may contribute to an increased risk of heart disease. Additionally, certain pregnancy complications, such as gestational diabetes or preeclampsia, can increase the risk of cardiovascular problems later in life.

• Unique Risk Factors: Some risk factors for heart disease have a greater impact on women. For example, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are significant risk factors for both men and women, but their effects on women's cardiovascular health can be more pronounced. Additionally, conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and autoimmune diseases like lupus can increase women's risk of heart disease.

• Lifestyle Factors: Unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as poor diet, physical inactivity, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption, contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease. These factors can affect both men and women. Still, women may face additional challenges due to societal expectations, caregiving responsibilities, and work-life balance, making it harder to prioritize their health.

• Treatment Disparities: There may be disparities in women's diagnosis and treatment of heart disease. Historically, cardiovascular research has focused predominantly on men, leading to potential gaps in understanding gender-specific risk factors and treatment approaches. These disparities can result in delayed diagnosis, inadequate treatment, or suboptimal management of heart disease in women.

The Red Dress

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) created The Heart Truth® in 2002. It was the first federally-sponsored national health education program designed to raise awareness about heart disease as the leading cause of death in women. Initially, the program focused on women ages 40‒60, emphasizing reaching women of color. In 2003, The Heart Truth introduced the Red Dress® as the national symbol for women and heart disease to bring greater visibility to risk factors and educate and motivate women to take action to protect their hearts.  When in 2003, NHLBI, the AHA, and other organizations committed to women's health joined together to raise awareness of women and heart disease, the AHA adopted this symbol to create synergy among all organizations committed to fighting this cause.

By working together to advance this important cause, the AHA, NHLBI, and other women's health groups have had a greater impact than any one group could have alone.

Events, Resources, and More

The AHA's Go Red for Women campaign was started in 2004 and used various initiatives and events to spread its message and get women involved.  

• Real Women Class of Survivors – This is an annual casting call for Real Women ambassadors representing heart disease and stroke survivors. The Real Women Class of Survivors aims to put a relatable face on heart disease and stroke. These everyday women, like you, are national volunteers selected to represent a diverse sisterhood of survivors who actively, urgently, and passionately champion the Go Red for Women movement. Representing various ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds, the annual class shares its powerful stories to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease and empower other women to take action to improve their physical and mental well-being.

• Research – Become part of the solution as a women participant in surveys and studies or as a Researcher Utilizing "Research Goes Red" to Access Data and Conduct Research

• Getting Involved - Plentiful opportunities exist through avenues such as Volunteering through participation or hosting a walk for research, a fundraising or educational event, Becoming a Lifesaver by learning hands-on CPR, Advocating for Change through the advancement of legislative and regulatory policies, Support Heart Patients & Caregivers by sharing your personal story via blog posts, or Donating and supporting the cause.

• Local Community Events – Local community events include: Go Red for Women Luncheons, STEM Goes Red to bring interesting careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to life for young women, and Woman of Impact and Teen of Impact, an inclusive initiative to drive awareness and raise funds for women's heart health in local communities.

The Go Red for Women campaign also provides resources, such as educational materials, online tools, and support networks, to help women make positive changes in their lives and reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke.

Educational Impact

Funds donated to Go Red for Women have impacted women across the nation. The AHA uses all revenues from local and National Go Red for Women activities to support awareness, research, education, and community programs to benefit women. The effort has been impactful:

• More than 2 million women have learned their risk of developing heart disease by taking the Go Red Heart CheckUp

• More than 200,000 healthcare provider offices have received critical patient information on women and heart disease

• More than 900,000 women have joined the fight. Women who join Go Red for Women receive important information that allows them to take action to improve their health:

• Women involved in Go Red for Women eat a healthy diet.

• Go Red Women are more likely to follow doctors' advice – from losing weight to taking medications.

• 91% of women involved in Go Red for Women visited their doctor in the last 12 months (compared to 73% of all U.S. women).

• 64% follow a regular exercise routine.

• 84% have talked to friends about their heart health.

• 90% have had their blood pressure checked in the last year.

• 75% have had their cholesterol checked in the last year.

It's more than just wearing red on the first Friday of February for National Wear Red Day; it's more than just sharing heart health facts. It's about all women committing to stand together with Go Red and taking charge of their heart health and the health of those they can't bear to live without. Committing to your health isn't something you must do alone, so grab a friend or a family member and Go Red today.