National Wear Red Day

National Wear Red Day History

National Wear Red Day is dedicated to raising awareness about the number one health concern- heart disease, especially in women. The purpose of the campaign is to educate the public, particularly women, about the risks of heart disease and the necessary measures to prevent and treat it. Participants are encouraged to incorporate the color red into their attire in a show of solidarity.

This significant public health campaign was first initiated by the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in 2003. It arose as part of an initiative called The Heart Truth, aimed at alerting women to their risk of heart disease. Since then, the event has gained momentum and now takes place nationwide, featuring activities that include fashion shows, fundraisers and health screenings.

Over the years, this event has made remarkable strides in promoting women's cardiovascular health, leading to substantial increases in awareness and positive changes in behavior. By wearing red, participants visually communicate the importance of heart health to those around them. The annual campaign is observed on the first Friday of February each year, aligning with the American Heart Month for a combined effort to enhance the understanding of heart disease.

Top 10 Facts for National Wear Red Day in 2026

• Cardiovascular disease remains the leading health threat for women, claiming more lives each year than all forms of cancer combined.
• The Go Red for Women movement was launched by the American Heart Association in 2004 to dispel the myth that heart disease is predominantly a "man's disease" and to address the fact that women were historically underrepresented in clinical research.
• Approximately 80 percent of cardiovascular events in women are considered preventable through education and lifestyle modifications, such as managing blood pressure and increasing physical activity.
• The iconic Red Dress serves as the official national symbol for the observance, representing a collective call to action for women to take charge of their heart health.
• Women often experience "atypical" heart attack symptoms that differ from the classic chest pain seen in men, including jaw pain, nausea, extreme fatigue, and shortness of breath.
• Medical experts often describe pregnancy as a woman's first cardiac stress test, as conditions like gestational diabetes or preeclampsia can significantly increase the risk of developing heart disease later in life.
• National sponsor CVS Health supports the initiative by offering customers opportunities to donate at registers and by funding research into the maternal heart health crisis.
• An initiative known as Research Goes Red invites women to contribute to scientific discovery by participating in clinical trials to ensure that future medical treatments are tailored to their specific biological needs.
• Despite its prevalence, only about 44 percent of women recognize that cardiovascular disease is their greatest health risk, making the widespread visibility of the National Wear Red Day campaign a critical tool for public education.
• High blood pressure is often called the silent killer because it frequently has no obvious symptoms, yet it accounts for over half of all high blood pressure-related deaths in women.

In the News and Trending for National Wear Red Day

Top things to do for National Wear Red Day

• Raise awareness for heart disease research. Volunteer with the local heart disease fundraising organization in your area.
• Wear red on National Wear Red Day to raise awareness of heart disease and strokes in women.
• Visit your family health physician and get blood pressure, body mass index and cholesterol tests in order to further discuss your risks to heart disease and take preventative measures.
• To prevent heart disease, get at least 30 minutes of daily exercise. Opt to head out for a brisk walk, a light run, swimming or biking.
• Purchase one of many watches or download aps that monitor your daily steps, heart rate and food consumption. Garmin and Apple both sell watches while aps such as My Fitness Pal and Runkeeper monitor steps and food consumption.