GO RED for Heart Health: Five Simple Steps Every Woman Should Know
Heart disease is often thought of as a “men’s health issue,” but the reality is very different. Heart disease is the number one cause of death for women, claiming the lives of one in three women. Many of these deaths are preventable—with awareness, early action, and ongoing primary care.
That’s why the American Heart Association uses the phrase GO RED as both a call to action and a simple way to remember the most important steps women can take to protect their heart health.
G — Get Your Numbers
Knowing your numbers is the foundation of heart health. Ask your primary care provider to check:
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol levels
- Blood sugar
- Body weight and BMI
These numbers tell an important story about your risk for heart disease—often before you feel any symptoms. High blood pressure and cholesterol frequently have no warning signs, which is why regular checkups matter.
O — Own Your Lifestyle
Your daily habits have a powerful impact on your heart. Owning your lifestyle means taking responsibility for the choices you make each day:
- Stop smoking
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Move your body regularly
- Eat nourishing, heart-healthy foods
While healthcare providers can guide and support you, no one can make these choices for you. Small, consistent changes add up—and they matter.
R — Realize Your Risk
Many women believe heart disease “won’t happen to me.” But the truth is:
- Heart disease kills one out of every three women
- Symptoms in women can be subtle and easily overlooked
- Risk increases with age, family history, stress, and certain medical conditions
Understanding your personal risk is a critical step toward prevention.
E — Educate Your Family
Heart health doesn’t happen in isolation. The habits you model affect the people around you—especially children.
- Choose healthier foods together
- Encourage physical activity as a family
- Talk openly about heart health
Education creates a ripple effect that can protect generations.
D — Don’t Be Silent
Heart disease is still widely misunderstood. Talk about it.
- Share what you’ve learned with friends and family
- Encourage the women in your life to see a provider
- Speak up if something doesn’t feel right in your own body
Awareness saves lives.
The First Step: Take Action
The most important step in protecting your heart is making an appointment with your primary care provider.
Primary care providers:
- Help you understand your numbers and personal risk
- Identify patterns and changes in your health over time
- Partner with you to create a realistic, sustainable plan for prevention
Extra Support for Women: SAGE Plus Heart Health Services
For women who are uninsured or underinsured, Aslan Health also offers additional heart-health support through SAGE Plus.
SAGE Plus provides:
- Heart disease risk screening and education
- Lifestyle coaching to support healthy changes
- Follow-up guidance to help you stay on track
This program is designed to remove financial barriers so women can take proactive steps toward better heart health. Eligibility is based on age and income guidelines, and our team can help determine if you qualify.
Whether through ongoing primary care or added support through SAGE Plus, our goal is the same: to help women understand their risk, take action early, and protect their heart for the long term.
At Aslan Health, we believe heart health starts with relationship-based primary care—where you are known, heard, and supported at every stage of life.
If it’s been a while since your last checkup, or if you’ve never had your heart health evaluated, now is the time. Go Red. Take action. Your heart matters. ❤️