February is American Heart Month, and nationally, the first Friday in February is Wear Red Day: an all-in effort to raise awareness for the number one killer in America, heart disease.
“Wear red day is a day where we can just recognize that heart disease is still our number one killer, but it also inspires us, like this is an opportunity here in heart month, to reclaim your rhythm and to kind of get back into those heart-healthy habits that maybe kind of went on the back burner during the last couple years,” says American Heart Association, Communications Director Chrissy Meyer.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States. One person dies every 36 seconds in the United States from cardiovascular disease.
On this Wear Red Day, it’s important to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease and help save lives. Why? Because losing even one person to cardiovascular disease is too many.
Do you know the warning signs of heart attack, stroke and cardiac arrest? Get the facts:
Heart Attack Symptoms
- Chest discomfort or pain or discomfort in other areas of the upper body, such as one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
- Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
- Other signs, including breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness
Stroke Symptoms
Spot a stroke F.A.S.T.
- Face drooping
- Arm weakness
- Speech difficulty
- Time to call 911
Cardiac Arrest Symptoms
- Sudden loss of responsiveness
- No normal breathing when you tilt the head up and check for at least five seconds.
If these are present, call 911. Learn more about the warning signs of cardiovascular disease and learn more about how you can help spread awareness at WearRedDay.org.