February Is American Heart Month: Why Heart Health (and Go Red for Women) Matters More Than Ever

February may be known for Valentine’s Day, but there’s a deeper message behind the hearts and red colors. February is American Heart Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about heart disease—the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States.

It’s also the month when the Go Red for Women campaign shines a spotlight on a truth that still surprises many people: heart disease is the number one killer of women, yet it’s often misunderstood, underdiagnosed, and ignored until it becomes a crisis.

At Good Day, Good Health, we believe awareness is about empowerment. When people understand their bodies, their risks, and their options, they can make choices today that protect their tomorrows.

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Heart Disease Doesn’t Always Look the Way We Expect

One of the biggest challenges with heart disease is that it doesn’t always announce itself loudly. Symptoms can be subtle, delayed, or mistaken for stress, fatigue, or “just getting older.”

For women especially, heart disease may show up differently than it does in men. Shortness of breath, nausea, jaw or back pain, extreme fatigue, dizziness, or discomfort that doesn’t feel like classic chest pain can all be warning signs. Too often, these symptoms are brushed aside—by individuals and even by healthcare systems.

That’s exactly why education matters.

American Heart Month is about reminding people that heart health isn’t only about emergencies. It’s about everyday habits, regular check-ins, and paying attention before something goes wrong.

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What Is Go Red for Women?

The Go Red for Women movement, led by the American Heart Association, was created to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease in women and to support research, education, and community programs that save lives.

Go Red is more than wearing red, it’s about:

• Encouraging women to know their risk factors
• Teaching families to recognize warning signs early
• Supporting research focused on women’s heart health
• Addressing disparities in access to care and education

The campaign also reminds us that heart health isn’t a “women-only” issue. Families, caregivers, partners, and communities all play a role in prevention, support, and advocacy.

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Prevention Is Powerful—and It’s Personal

Heart disease doesn’t develop overnight. It’s often influenced by a combination of genetics, lifestyle, stress, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and access to care.

The good news? Many risk factors are manageable.

Small, consistent steps can make a meaningful difference:

• Moving your body regularly—even gentle movement counts
• Choosing heart-supportive foods most of the time
• Managing stress instead of carrying it silently
• Getting quality sleep
• Knowing your numbers (blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar)
• Having honest conversations with your healthcare provider

At Good Day, Good Health, we talk a lot about meeting people where they are. Heart health doesn’t require perfection, it requires awareness and intention.

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Why February Is the Perfect Time to Start

American Heart Month isn’t about guilt or pressure. It’s a reset. A reminder. A chance to check in with yourself and ask, “How am I really doing?”

It’s also a moment to think beyond ourselves.

Supporting heart health organizations, sharing educational resources, participating in community campaigns, or donating to causes like Go Red for Women helps extend that impact far beyond one person.

When awareness spreads, lives are saved.

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Turning Awareness Into Action

Wearing red in February starts conversations. Sharing information saves time. Supporting research saves lives.

Whether you:

• Schedule a heart health checkup
• Encourage a loved one to take symptoms seriously
• Make one healthier daily habit
• Donate or fundraise for heart health
• Or simply learn something new

You are part of the solution.

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A Heartfelt Reminder

Heart health is about living fully, with energy, clarity, and presence. American Heart Month and the Go Red for Women campaign remind us that knowledge is powerful, prevention is possible, and change starts with awareness.

This February, let’s go beyond the color red.

Let’s choose education over assumption. Action over delay. And care—real care—for ourselves and the people we love.

Because a good day starts with a healthy heart.