The introduction of National Wear Red Day fourteen years ago by the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute raised awareness of the fact that heart disease and stroke cause one in three deaths among women, claiming nearly 500,000 of our mothers, daughters, and sisters each year.

The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors turned the office RED on the first Friday in February, National Wear Red Day, with staff in red shirts, ties and even boots to show support and highlight #WearRedDay and #HeartMonth. Wear Red Day and American Heart Month in February are the perfect time for all of us to spread the word about preventing heart disease, the No.1 killer of women as well as men.

Controlling blood pressure is a major step toward preventing heart disease and stroke. NACDD’s cardiovascular health initiative shares resources and program information to help states improve identification and control of hypertension through “Off the Cuff” a weekly health system update for members. In coordination with CDC’s Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, the initiative hosts Fireside Chats and other learning opportunities with a focus on hypertension, including a third one this month on Addressing Health Disparities in Hypertension Control.

As a partner in the Million Hearts® Initiative, NACDD supports the national goal of preventing a million heart attacks in five years. We’re honored to continue into its next phase and value the many partners engaging in Million Hearts through CDC and the American Heart Association.

This American Heart Month – and throughout the year – join with NACDD in spreading the message of heart disease and stroke prevention by having a heart-to-heart on prevention with someone you care about. Encourage them to walk more and make healthier food choices and show support for their efforts to quit smoking and take their blood pressure medicine. Together we can successfully fight heart disease, stroke and other chronic diseases.