Wearing red is trending more than usual — and not just because Valentine’s Day is around the corner. Today (Feb. 6) is National Wear Red Day, a day about bringing awareness to the leading cause of death in women: heart disease.

Celebrated each year just before Valentine’s Day, Wear Red Day serves as a reminder to prioritize heart health. The initiative is a part of the American Heart Association’s annual Go Red for Women campaign, a national campaign focused on educating women about cardiovascular disease and reducing gaps in recognition and treatment.

“We hear it all the time — women take care of everyone else first, and their own health often ends up last on the list,” said volunteer Kenzie Baldwin of Mount Pleasant.

Baldwin, operations manager at Adams Property Group, was a 2026 Women of Impact nominee, an association award that celebrates women dedicated to creating change through raising awareness and funding for women’s health.

According to the nonprofit, nearly half of all American women older than 20 live with some form of cardiovascular disease. Women are also less likely than men to receive bystander CPR or survive an out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest — disparities that health experts at the association say are driven by gaps in awareness, research and treatment.

“This organization has taught me the importance of knowing the signs, understanding the resources available and prioritizing prevention,” Baldwin said. “I want to do my part to share that knowledge and help educate my family, friends, colleagues and anyone I can about this important mission and cause.”

Personal roots

Baldwin said her journey with heart disease awareness and prevention started with family. Her mother, now 69, suffered a heart attack in March 2024. Thankfully, she survived and is doing well now, but Baldwin said she will never forget the day the crisis happened.

“I remember her telling me something didn’t feel right and that she was short of breath, which was very unusual for her,” Baldwin said, reflecting on her and her mother’s morning ritual of watching the Today Show over the phone before work. “She said she was going to keep monitoring it, and we ended our call.”

A few hours later, she got a call that no one wants: Her mother had gone into cardiac arrest and was being rushed into surgery.

“The doctors told her that if she had waited even one more hour, the outcome could have been fatal,” Baldwin said.

‘Serious’ isn’t just an expression

Understanding heart attack symptoms can mean the difference between life or death, and they’re not always clear. While chest pain and radiating arm pain are widely recognized warning signs, women often experience symptoms that are less obvious.

According to the association, women may experience shortness of breath, anxiety, fatigue or an upset stomach. Because these symptoms don’t always match the classic portrayal of a heart attack, some women explain them away or avoid seeking medical attention on time.

That delay can have serious consequences. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show heart disease has been the leading cause of death in South Carolina for over two decades, making the conversation surrounding heart health especially critical.

“A lot of people don’t think health is empowerment, but it really is,” said Hillary Blevins, chairperson of the Charleston Go Red for Women Luncheon. She added that women should more regularly get checked and take care of themselves. “It’s rare that we, as women, put ourselves first.”

An opportunity for impact

On Feb. 6, the focus is on women. The association is hosting a Wear Red for Women proclamation ceremony at 10 a.m. in the courtyard of Charleston City Hall. The event will feature CPR training, information on warning signs and opportunities to learn more about heart health.

Women across the Lowcountry are encouraged to join by wearing their favorite shade of red. Adding a pop of red has always been on trend, but the style of this event is to bathe in it. The more red shown, the more support felt.

Registration is not required, though RSVP’s are appreciated and can be done online at https://form.jotform.com/252584871923164.

Blevins says one of the most meaningful parts of the organization is the community of women it fosters.

“We have Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X,” she said. “That’s the coolest part — just seeing all the generations work together and all our perspectives come together for one cause. We are lifting each other up and encouraging one another. It’s awesome.”

The Go Red for Women movement launched nationally in 2004 and remains the American Heart Association’s signature women’s initiative. Its mission to empower women to take charge of their health has brought women together on national and local scales.

While the Go Red for Women campaign is year-round, it culminates each year with a luncheon hosted this year on May 21, 2026, at the Charleston Marriott.

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