SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate observed Wear Red Day at the Capitol Wednesday to bring awareness to women’s heart health.

State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) introduced Senate Resolution 23 to declare Feb. 7 as Wear Red Day in Illinois to urge all residents to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease and in particular its impact on women.

“For far too long, women have been left out of research, testing and treatment despite experiencing unique life stages that increase our risk for developing cardiovascular disease during our lifetimes,” said Villa. “It is because of these gender disparities that days like today are crucial in spreading awareness on what we can do to increase support in our fight to lower the likelihood of cardiovascular disease. Women at every age, stage of life and background need our support, and that is why we go red.”

The American Heart Association supports Wear Red Day to expand public consciousness about cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women. The American Heart Association promotes learning the signs of heart disease and stroke in women and learning CPR in order to support women.

National Wear Red Day, observed Feb. 7 this year, was created in 2002 to emphasize the prevalence of heart disease and stroke in women and February was made American Heart Month for the first time in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson.

According to the National Institute of Health, nearly 500,000 women die of cardiovascular disease every year. Cardiovascular disease remains under-diagnosed and undertreated in women according to the NIH.

The Illinois Senate is dedicated to redressing this imbalance in care and bringing awareness and advocacy to women’s heart health issues.