10 Reasons to Wear Red for National Wear Red Day

National Wear Red Day is held every year on the first Friday in February to help raise awareness about heart disease, the No. 1 killer of women in the U.S. Surprised? That's exactly why you need to join in. The American Heart Association launched the initiative in 2004 to get the word out to women. Here are 10 reasons why you need to wear red this Friday.

Many people mistakenly associate heart disease with older men, but heart disease is an issue that affects nearly 500,000 American women every single year.

What good does wearing red really accomplish? Well, a lot of good, actually. Since National Wear Red Day started 14 years ago, important strides have been made. In fact, more than a third of women have lost weight</a>; half of women have increased their exercise routine; and more women have talked to their doctors about heart health, according to the American Heart Association.

Wearing red not only helps boost women's heart health awareness, but it also saves lives. According to the AHA's Go Red for Women site, today 300 fewer women die from heart disease and stroke every day. That's a more than 30 percent decrease in death from heart complications over the last 10 years.

While deaths have dropped, there's still work to be done. One in three women will die of heart disease and stroke every year. Keep that in mind when you don your red shirt.

National Wear Red Day isn't just about rocking the red gear, as important as that is. It's also about raising funds for important measures, such as educational programs and research on heart disease, both of which are necessary to make real progress happen.

You can't let all that red go to waste. Be sure to post a picture of yourself on social media with the hashtag #WearRedandGive to join the movement, and raise awareness and money for women in the fight against heart disease.

You can score some seriously sweet swag on the Go Red for Women shop, from household items to active wear. There's something for everyone (and psst, there's even a coupon when you visit the shop and spin to win)!

Image via Go Red for Women Shop

Move aside, LBD, there's a new dress in town. The Red Dress Collection is not your ordinary runway show. It's a collaboration with Macy's and the American Heart Association that brings together designers, models and celebrities in support for women's heart health during New York Fashion Week. You can watch the event live online on February 8 or catch highlights of the show.

The best part of National Wear Red Day? Seeing and hearing from the survivors. You can learn more about the 2017 survivors of heart disease who rocked the runway wearing their own red dresses on the Go Red for Women website. They are looking (and feeling) amazing, thanks to efforts like yours.

There are so many reasons to wear red for Go Red for Women Day, but it all comes down to making a difference for real-life women. You can donate, shop the collection, share a hashtag or learn more about ways to get involved. Who knew going red could make such a big difference?