AHA urges Americans to wear red to raise awareness about women and heart health

On the first Friday of February, The American Heart Association (AHA) urges Americans to wear red to raise awareness about women and heart health. According to the AHA, nearly half of American women do not know that heart disease is their No. 1 killer, and less than half know the best blood pressure and cholesterol levels for cardiovascular health.

"Go Red for Women is about getting vital information into every community and every home," says Michael Weamer, executive vice president for the American Heart Association. "Heart disease kills more women in the United States - far greater than all forms of cancer combined, but women aren't taking action to protect their hearts because they just aren't aware of the risks."

Every year, women from all walks of life heed the call: they dress in red outfits and accessories, or don the AHA's Go Red for Women pin. Unfortunately, after Go Red Day, many women once again forget to take action for heart health. This dangerous lack of awareness is why the Healthy Monday initiative is urging Americans to go beyond Go Red Day and sport something red every Monday. Making red visible on Mondays can help sound the alarm and keep heart health ever present in the lives of American women.

Why Monday? "It's the January of the week," said Sid Lerner, founder and chairman of The Monday Campaigns, a nonprofit organization in association with Johns Hopkins, Columbia and Syracuse Universities. "It's a call to action built into every calendar, a naturally resetting cue that gives us 52 chances for success."

With the Monday reminder about heart health, the Healthy Monday initiative aims to increase significant awareness among women. Women can signal their commitment to their own heart health by wearing something red every Monday. Lerner explains, "By sharing the reason they're wearing red with women they meet, that lifesaving information becomes viral. If every Monday a woman tells two friends, and they tell two friends, pretty soon women all over the country will have this crucial information. And, with Facebook, Twitter, texting, women have powerful tools to share this message with those they love."

Evidence suggests that Monday may indeed be the most effective day to reach people with health messages. A nationwide survey conducted by FGI Research for The Monday Campaigns found that most of us see Monday as the day for a fresh start: it's when we're most likely to quit smoking, start a diet or begin an exercise regimen. "People are clearly open to engaging in healthy behaviors on Monday," says Monday Campaigns' public health researcher Morgan Johnson "so it makes a good nudge day to help people stay on track."

After Go Red for Woman Day, rally behind encouraging heart health. Wear something red every Monday and help get the word out each week in conversations with family and friends, on your Facebook page and through Twitter. Visit Go Red for Women and The Heart Truth for more information and to order your red dress pins and accessories. Then make your own Monday checklist to take care of your heart.