National Wear Red Day calls on everyone to don red every first Friday of February. On this vital day, we unite to raise awareness and support for women’s heart disease and stroke prevention. Join millions across the country by wearing red, sharing facts, and advocating for healthier hearts.
Want to sponsor National Wear Red Day? Learn how
Expected National Wear Red Day Deals
While National Wear Red Day is not primarily about commercial deals, many organizations and brands partner to raise crucial funds and awareness for women’s heart health. The American Heart Association‘s ‘Go Red for Women’ campaign, supported by long-standing partners like Macy’s and CVS Health, often features donation opportunities at checkout, special merchandise, and educational events throughout February, which is American Heart Month. Look for local fitness centers offering heart-healthy classes or health screenings, and consider participating in virtual or in-person walks hosted by health organizations. Many corporate partners also run internal campaigns to educate employees and encourage direct donations to support vital research and prevention programs. We will update this page with confirmed live campaigns and events as February approaches, encouraging everyone to give back and spread the word about this critical cause.
Platform Guide for National Wear Red Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalWearRedDay. Share photos of yourself, your team, or your community wearing red to show solidarity.
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #NationalWearRedDay. Post heart health facts, share personal stories, and amplify messages from health organizations.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalWearRedDay. Create a community event, share educational videos, or host a live Q&A with a health expert.
National Wear Red Day Hero
Dr. Nanette Wenger
History of National Wear Red Day
In line with other heart and soul related themes of the month, National Wear Red Day brings awareness to women’s heart health. Women have been the heartbeats of the home since the beginning, playing multiple roles as mothers, daughters, sisters, counselors, providers, and protectors. Women shoulder more responsibility now in and outside the home than ever before. In kind, they need more support in nurturing themselves as deeply as they nurture their families and communities. National Wear Red day is a beautiful first step in giving women the world over the critical heart health information and services they need and deserve.
National Wear Red Day is supported by the American Heart Association and celebrated in conjunction with national heart health month. It focuses specifically on raising awareness of women’s heart disease and stroke risks. Cardiovascular disease causes 1 in 3 deaths in women every year making it the number one health related killer in women. The good news is 87% of all heart issues are believed to be preventable making awareness, education, research, and resources vital to the cause this holiday supports.
On this day every year, supporters wear their favorite red dresses, shoes, tops, and accessories in order to stand together with their affected sisters and encourage others to take preventative actions for the sake of their heart’s health.
National Wear Red Day timeline
President Lyndon B. Johnson declares February national heart health month, nine years after having a heart attack.
The Red Dress becomes the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness.
Go Red launches with a mission to eradicate heart disease and stroke in women.
First Go Red for Women international license is issued.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Wear Red Day
Local businesses can honor National Wear Red Day by encouraging employees and customers to wear red, creating a visual statement of solidarity. Consider hosting a ‘Red Day’ staff photo to share on social media, tagging relevant health organizations. Restaurants might offer heart-healthy menu specials or donate a portion of sales from red-themed items to a local heart charity. Health and wellness businesses could provide free blood pressure screenings or educational handouts on cardiovascular health. These activations not only raise awareness but also foster a sense of community support for a vital cause.
National Wear Red Day Traditions
February is all about matters of the heart. Be it Valentine’s Day, Healthy Heart Month, or National Wear Red Day, a healthy heart is what we seek. It’s tradition on National Wear Red Day to go bold with your fashion choices and wear red. Bake sales and fundraisers are hosted and donations are made to Go Red if you shop from certain stores.
National Wear Red Day By Numbers
1 in 3 – The number of adults who suffer from high blood pressure.
17.9 million – The number of people who died from heart diseases around the world in 2016.
80% – The percentage of heart diseases that are preventable with regular physical activity, avoiding tobacco, and maintaining a healthy diet.
12% – The percentage of stroke victims that die from it.
50% – The percentage of women who die within five years of having a heart attack.
33% – The percentage of women who do not engage in sports or physical activity.
43 million – The number of women who currently have some type of heart disease.
655,000 – The number of Americans who die annually from heart disease.
National Wear Red Day FAQs
When is National Wear Red Day?
In 2027, National Wear Red Day falls on Friday, February 5. It serves as a crucial reminder to prioritize cardiovascular well-being and support women’s heart health initiatives.
How many women are affected by heart disease?
Each year, around 605,000 women in the U.S. experience a heart attack, highlighting the urgent need for increased awareness, prevention, and early detection efforts.
Why is National Wear Red Day important?
The day empowers women with knowledge about their unique risk factors and symptoms, promoting early detection and proactive health management. It fosters a collective effort to combat the disease.
What is the significance of wearing red?
The color red serves as a powerful visual reminder of the urgent need to address the prevalence of heart disease among women and to advocate for research and prevention. It draws attention to a critical public health issue.
National Wear Red Day Activities
Throw a Red Party
Bring some fun to your wellness goals by hosting a happy hour or dinner party with your friends and family. Serve heart healthy hors d’oeuvres and discuss how you can all support one another in achieving and maintaining healthy hearts. If you are feeling really ambitious, scale up your party and turn it into a fundraiser for the Go Red and the American Heart Association.
Spread the Word
Share National Wear Red Day on your social media. Put on your most elaborate red frock, snap a selfie, and let your friends and followers know where they can get screenings, participate in Wear Red runs, and what healthy habits you will practice for your own heart health. Visit the Go Red for Women website for curated posts you can use on your social media accounts.
Shop
From office supplies to clothing and jewelry, every purchase you make on Go Red’s website goes towards funding the organization’s advocacy for women’s heart health. Shop for yourself or your nearest and dearest.
5 FACTS ABOUT HEART HEALTH THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND
Diet and exercise: Your greatest weapon
Regular exercise and a healthy diet can reduce your chances of heart disease by as much as 80 percent.
Social/Cultural Factors
African American women are disproportionately affected by heart disease irregardless of age, class, and income.
Sex appeals to a healthy heart
Not only does sex count as exercise by raising your heart rate, it also balances your testosterone and estrogen levels, lowers blood pressure, and reduces stress, all vital components in long term heart health.
Global takeover
Go Red is licensed by 48 different organizations in 42 countries.
More than one way to give
There are several ways you can donate to the Go Red cause including in memoriam donations and monthly subscription gifts.
Why We Love National Wear Red Day
Women are important
There’s a saying that when mom gets sick, everyone gets sick. The sentiment is that women are such an integral part of functioning of our lives and society that when our women break down so does everything else. By encouraging wellness visits and regular self care practices outside of doctor’s appointments we are doing our very small part in making sure our social structure remains strong and thriving.
Knowledge is Power
Our greatest defense in heart health is concise, accurate, and up to date information and resources. National Wear Red Day is on the front lines bringing awareness to women all around the world in practical and accessible ways.
Prevention leads to a cure
With 87% of heart disease related issues being preventable, the lion’s share of the battle is fought before there are even signs of a problem. In this instance our grandmothers were right, an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure.
National Wear Red Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | February 7 | Friday |
| 2026 | February 6 | Friday |
| 2027 | February 5 | Friday |
| 2028 | February 4 | Friday |
| 2029 | February 2 | Friday |
Social Media Tips for National Wear Red Day
Individuals
Creators
Brands