SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Illinois Senate Women’s Caucus wore red Tuesday to bring awareness to women’s heart health.

National Wear Red Day is supported by the American Heart Association and celebrated in conjunction with national heart health month. Members of the General Assembly recognized the campaign on Valentine’s Day as Wear Red Day in Illinois.

The day focuses specifically on raising awareness of women’s heart disease and stroke risks. Cardiovascular disease causes one in three deaths in women every year, making it the number one health-related killer in women.

National Wear Red Day was created as a Presidential Decree in 1964 when President Lyndon B. Johnson declared February national heart health month, nine years after having a heart attack himself. Since then, Go Red launched with a mission to eradicate heart disease and stroke in women in 2004.

The Senate Women’s Caucus remains dedicated to women and their health and advocate for resources involving heart health, as nearly 90% of all heart issues are believed to be preventable making awareness, education, research, and resources vital to the cause Wear Red Day supports.