Right now what is the most important goal that you’d like to accomplish? Is it increased wealth, a better job, a bigger home? These goals are great, but we all must make sure that we are healthy so we can fully enjoy the fruits of our labor. Heart disease for women is on the rise and many of us are not aware of the dangers or risk factors.

On Friday February 4, 2011 The Heart Truth campaign--sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and partner organizations--is inviting everyone to participate in “National Wear Red Day,” an awareness day aimed to help spread the message that "Heart Disease Doesn't Care What You Wear, It's the #1 Killer of Women.®"

According to campaign literature, many women fail to make the connection between the risk factors for heart disease and their personal risk of developing heart disease. In fact, this disease kills one out of every four American women.

The Heart Truth campaign created and introduced the Red Dress as the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness in 2002 to deliver an urgent wake-up call to American women. The Red Dress® reminds women of the need to protect their heart health, and inspires them to take action.

While heart disease risk begins to rise in middle age, NHLBI states that heart disease develops over time and can start at a young age, even in the teen years. It's never too early, or too late, to take action to prevent and control the risk factors for heart disease. The Heart Truth campaign is building awareness of women's heart disease and empowering women to reduce and prevent their risk.

Businesses and community organizations across the country are joining The Heart Truth campaign and using its Red Dress symbol to raise awareness about women and heart disease. Educational materials are being distributed at local events and presentations emphasizing women's health issues. Macy’s, a sponsor of the “Go Red for Women” campaign, is offering customers wearing any item of red – anything from lipstick to the signature Red Dress pin to a piece of new Go Red merchandise – discounts on a wide assortment of merchandise at all nationwide Macy's stores. The Wear Red Sale Event takes place from Wednesday, February 2, through Sunday, February 6.

(NHLBI) is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Also involved with the The Heart Truth campaign are The Office on Women's Health (OWH) and other groups committed to the health and well-being of women.

To find out more about women and heart disease, visit The Heart Truth Web pages by following the link below or call the NHLBI Health Information Center at 301-592-8573.