The first Friday each February, American Heart Month, the nation comes together, igniting a wave of red from coast to coast.

From landmarks to news anchors, neighborhoods to online communities; this annual groundswell unites millions of people for a common goal: the eradication of heart disease and stroke.

This campaign to raise awareness about heart disease in women. 

The national campaign urges women to learn their risk for heart disease and to take steps to lower their risk. What increases a woman's chances of heart disease?

• Smoking
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Family history
• Diabetes
• Stress
• Inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's
• Complications during pregnancy
• Menopause

We can prevent or reverse many of these risks by taking action. Speaking with our physician also helps to further lower our risk of heart attack and stroke by making and following a plan. 

• Quit smoking. Ask for help if you need it. Your physician has many tools at her side to make quitting a success.
• Change your lifestyle. Become more active and improve your eating habits. This will help with many risk factors including stress, family history, and other health conditions.
• Get routine physical exams. 

Heart disease and stroke kill one in three women. These diseases are 80 percent preventable according to Go Red for Women's official website.