National Wear Red Day: Raising Heart Health Awareness in 2026
Every February, healthcare providers, community leaders, and individuals nationwide come together to observe National Wear Red Day, a powerful reminder of the importance of heart health awareness and prevention. This annual event falls on the first Friday in February and happens during American Heart Month, a time dedicated to education and action around cardiovascular wellness.
National Wear Red Day was created to shine a spotlight on heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States for both women and men. By wearing red, people across the country spark conversations about heart health and encourage proactive steps to reduce cardiovascular risk.
Why It Matters
Heart disease affects millions of Americans. Even though it is often thought of as a condition that affects only older adults, risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, and physical inactivity can impact people at nearly any age.
National Wear Red Day and American Heart Month are more than symbolic, they're opportunities to:
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Learn about heart disease and its risk factors
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Encourage loved ones to get heart-healthy screenings
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Promote preventive habits like balanced nutrition, physical activity, and stress management
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Support heart health education and research initiatives
The focus on heart health is especially strong in women, where cardiovascular disease remains the No. 1 killer, a message emphasized by movements like the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign.
How You Can Take Part
Participating in National Wear Red Day is simple and impactful:
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Wear red clothing or accessories to show your support
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Share educational heart health information with your community
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Encourage screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, and other risk factors
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Support heart-healthy lifestyle choices at work and at home
Even small actions, like a red ribbon, shirt, or lapel pin, serve as a visual reminder that heart health matters for everyone.
Heart Health Is Year-Round
While National Wear Red Day brings focus to cardiovascular wellness in early February, heart health is something to celebrate and prioritize every day. Whether you're encouraging a coworker to get their blood pressure checked or choosing a heart-healthy lunch, making informed choices now can help reduce the risk of heart disease for years to come.