National Woman's Heart Day

Did you know women's heart disease is the leading cause of death among women in the United States? National Woman's Heart Day, celebrated on the third Friday in February every year, is a chance to raise awareness about women and heart disease.

History of National Woman's Heart Day

Heart disease in women can cause to heart attack, stroke, and death. Besides, this is the number one killer of women in the United States. National Women's Heart Day was established to expand heart disease prevention among women, by working to reduce risk factors and to provide and encourage regular heart health screenings. This is a day for women to realize their risks, as these risks can be reduced if they are made known, and a "fair" day established to help put women on the path towards a healthy heart.

Taking place during American Heart Month, 2001 was the first National Women's Health Day. It was started by US Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson and by Sister to Sister: Everyone has the Heart Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit founded by Irene Pollin. The organization exists to expand access to heart disease screenings and information related to heart disease and maintain a healthy heart, while raising awareness of heart disease among women and encouraging healthy lifestyle. In the past, the National Women's Health Resource Center has joined women in supporting this day.

During the day, health fairs with many types of services were held in provinces and cities across the country. They included free heart disease screenings with same-day results, which included a risk assessment questionnaire, blood pressure checks, and blood tests that check for glucose and cholesterol. The fair also includes informational presentations from nationally renowned experts on heart disease and women, national and local celebrities, chefs and fitness trainers providing good tips for heart health, interactive exhibits and nutrition.

The first fair was held in Washington, D.C. in 2001. Mayors Anthony Williams and Tommy Thompson delivered the opening remarks, and proclamations of the day were issued by the mayor and county officials. Until 2004, there are health fairs in six cities. After that, there were fairs in 12 cities in 2005 and in 17 cities in 2008.

How to celebrate National Woman's Heart Day

Check to see if a National Women's Heart Day event is happening in your city. If not (this day seems to be the most celebrated in the 2000s), or if you are unable to attend an event, talk to your doctor or healthcare provider about heart health check.

You can also use this time to focus on reducing the heart disease risk factors you have an influence on. Although family history, age, and diabetes are risk factors you can't change, high cholesterol and blood pressure, smoking, lack of physical activity, and obesity can be the cause. You can spend the day focusing on quitting smoking, adjusting your exercise routine, building a healthy diet, keeping your weight in check, and getting your heart health checked, where you can. You may begin to monitor your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar more closely.