Why wear red today? What’s the big deal about women and heart disease?

Heart disease causes 1 out of every 3 deaths among women in the U.S. – one death every minute. 1 in 31 American women die from breast cancer each year while 1 in 3 die from heart disease annually. Almost two-thirds of women who died as a result of coronary artery disease had no previous symptom.

Yeah, heart disease among women is that much of a problem. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention map below should cause us all to see red. This female epidemic is ludicrous.

CDC, 2012

Risk factors associated with heart disease include diabetes, overweight/obesity, poor diet, physical inactivity, and excessive alcohol use. According to the American Heart Association, nearly 90% of all women have one or more risk factor. 

Help spread the awareness of the greatest killer among women – heart disease. Tell the women in your life. Change your own habits. Let’s stop seeing red.