Friday, February 3 is Wear Red for Women Day, an annual tradition of the American Heart Association to bring attention to women’s risk of heart disease. In a ceremony held at the City County Building, Mayor Rogero and Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett presented proclamations naming this National Wear Red Day. The Mayors were joined by Sen. Robert Briggs, who is a heart and lung surgeon, and Ben Youree, CEO of Tennova Turkey Creek Medical Center.

The American Heart Association reports that cardiovascular diseases kill one in three women in the United States, yet 80 percent of cardiovascular diseases may be prevented through improved diet and exercise. Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in Knox County, too, along with cancer and stroke.

The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women® movement encourages women to know their genetic risk factors as well as the lifestyle choices that can decrease their chances of developing heart disease. The advice is pretty basic and may sound familiar: get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity five days a week; eat fewer fatty, sugary and processed foods; eat more fruits and vegetables, fish and whole grains; control stress; and quit smoking.

Additional information about heart health, warning signs of heart attack and stroke, and healthy lifestyle tips are available at the Knoxville American Heart Association’s website.