Are you wearing red today? National Wear Red Day, February 5

February marks American Heart Month, a month to raise awareness for overall heart health. Throughout the month, there are several days of awareness which highlight specific heart issues including Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week (February 7-14) and, today, National Wear Red Day (February 5).

National Wear Red Day is a day to call attention to heart disease, the number one killer among women. Unfortunately, heart disease in women is underdiagnosed and undertreated. Heart disease can affect anyone no matter the age.

In 2003, the American Heart Association joined forces with the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (a part of the National Institutes of Health) to draw attention to this deadly disease in women. This collaboration created National Wear Red Day which now falls on the first Friday of February every year. Since its creation, women all over the U.S. have been making changes to help their hearts.

So, are you wearing red today to support women and healthy hearts? We are!

The Todd and Karen Wanek Family Program for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) is a collaborative network of specialists bonded by the vision of delaying or preventing heart failure for individuals affected by congenital heart defects including HLHS. The specialized team is addressing the various aspects of these defects by using research and clinical strategies ranging from basic science to diagnostic imaging to regenerative therapies.