TAMPA, Fla. — Friday is National Wear Red Day, a longstanding initiative through the American Heart Association to help raise awareness about women’s heart health.

Different events are taking place on Feb. 7 throughout Tampa Bay in order to help spread the word on what women can do to be proactive and fight cardiovascular disease.

What You Need To Know

  • National Wear Red Day kicked off in Tampa Bay with a 1-mile walk down Bayshore Boulevard 

  • Go Red For Women’s Heart Health event is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at University Area Community Complex at 14013 N. 22nd St. in Tampa

  • Wear red to Dunedin Community Center for free access to fitness center and group classes 

National Wear Red Day kicked off with a 1-mile walk down Bayshore Boulevard. 

Dr. Noella West, APP Director with Tampa General Hospital, says women are often so busy caring for others rather than caring for themselves that it’s important to stop and take a moment Friday to assess your health.

“With heart health is very important to know your numbers,” West explained. “Knowing what your blood pressure is, knowing your cholesterol levels. As well as knowing if you have diabetes and if that is managed. Quality sleep is important and just regular physical activity and healthy diet, because one little bit can trickle through and make a lasting effect.”

From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the University Area Community Complex at 14013 N. 22nd St. in Tampa, Delta Sigma Theta’s alumnae chapter will be putting on a Go Red For Women’s Heart Health event. West and her team will be on site offering heath resources, and there will be activities and giveaways.

In Dunedin, if you wear red to the Dunedin Community Center on Friday you can get free admission to the fitness center and group exercise classes as well as free health screenings from BayCare from 8 a.m. to noon.