As we all gear up for Sunday’s big game with its instant replays, last-second drives, and, of course, the halftime show, it’s worth remembering that February’s biggest win isn’t decided by a coin toss. February is not just the end of football season; it’s American Heart Month! Tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 6, is National Wear Red Day®/Go Red for Women Day. It’s a day when we all “go red” to raise awareness for the real champion of our lives: our hearts. It’s also a reminder that cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States, and frankly, we’re sick of winning that game.
National Wear Red Day, part of the American Heart Association’s signature Go Red for Women® initiative (www.goredforwomen.org), launched in 2004 to close the gap in awareness and care of heart disease in women, builds on this February momentum. At the time, many women still believed heart disease was a “man’s disease,” but decades of research and advocacy have proven otherwise. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women in this country, which makes wearing red more than a fashion statement—it’s a visible reminder to take heart health seriously, talk with healthcare providers, and support one another in living healthier lives.
We often underestimate the heart and its needs until it’s too late. According to the American Heart Association (pages.heart.org), heart disease claims more women’s lives each year than all forms of cancer combined. That’s staggering and unsettling. Yet only about half of women recognize it as their greatest health threat. That’s why this Wear Red Day, we’re challenging everyone to get their head in the game by listening, learning, and honoring women whose lives remind us of the urgency and universality of heart health.
One of the most recent stories of loss comes from beloved actress Catherine O’Hara, who died at age 71. Fans adored her as one of the funniest moms on television and the big screen, but her talent and joy couldn’t protect her from a rare congenital condition. O’Hara had situs inversus with dextrocardia, which, according to the National Library of Medicine (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov), means the heart and organs are mirrored in the body. This rare condition shows how unique every heart and body are. While it’s unclear whether the condition directly contributed to her death, her story draws attention to the wide spectrum of heart and circulatory differences women can live with and learn from.
This Wear Red Day, we also remember other women whose deaths were linked to heart disease. Myra MacPherson, an influential journalist who helped expand women’s voices in national media, died from congestive heart failure at age 91. Actress and writer Carrie Fisher died after a cardiac event at age 60, a reminder that heart issues can strike even those known for strength and resilience. Looking back through history, legendary stage and screen actress Ethel Barrymore, “The First Lady of the American Theatre,” also succumbed to cardiovascular disease. These stories highlight heart disease’s span of the generations, professions, ages, and abilities. This isn’t something new; it’s just something that keeps going.
Beyond loss, there is leadership. Across the country, women are stepping forward as Go Red for Women ambassadors through newsroom.heart.org, sharing stories of survival and resilience. Cynthia Granada suffered a stroke while working from home at age 44. Carla McCubbin, a 49-year-old mother, experienced cardiac arrest while on a family vacation and was airlifted to receive a pacemaker and defibrillator. Macey Wright shares her lifelong journey with congenital heart disease and a heart transplant. Their stories, and so many others, remind us why heart health matters.
So, what can you take from these lives and legacies? Like a great quarterback reading the field, know your heart’s numbers: blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. Understand warning signs, which in women can be subtler than classic chest pain. Get regular checkups, eat a diet rich in vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, stay active (think brisk walks or halftime show dance breaks), and reduce stress when and where you can. These preventive plays are your best defense.
This Friday, don’t just wear red, talk about why. Share a heart-healthy goal, check in with the women you love, and help spread the word. Heart disease doesn’t care what jersey you wear or how old you are. When it comes to our hearts, every yard counts. Wear red. Know your risk. And let’s help end this silent epidemic, one heart at a time. It’s time we all go to the game this Friday, go the distance and wear red!