National Go Red day

People wear red today to raise awareness for heart disease

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Today is National Wear Red Day.

And though it’s a day of fun, wearing red and taking pictures, it’s also to raise awareness of some pretty sobering numbers about heart disease.
The American Heart Association says today, one in five people report lower physical wellness and one in four report lower emotional wellness.

This can lead to stress, difficulty navigating work and family life and can hugely impact risk for heart disease and stroke.

Studies show the pandemic has made this worse.

The mission to wear red is to open everyone’s eyes about their own risk.

Heart Association executive director Emily Niespodziany tells us  “Did you know as a woman and as a man too that heart disease is your number one killer? …… Do you know your numbers? When was the last time you checked your blood pressure. When was the last time you’ve been to the doctor?”

You can share your pictures wearing red on social media with the hashtag A-H-A-Tennessee and see others who support heart awareness too.

Mayor Coppinger and Mayor Kelly have declared February 4th as National Wear Red Day in Chattanooga and Hamilton County.