BINGHAMTON, NY - Today, County Executive Barbara J. Fiala, joined City of Binghamton Mayor Matt Ryan representatives from the American Heart Association (AHA) and other community leaders to commemorate National Wear Red Day. Friday, February 6th is National Wear Red Day, when thousands of communities and organizations across America will wear red in support of the fight against heart disease in women.

At today’s ceremony, Mayor Ryan issued a citation declaring Friday National Wear Red Day in the City of Binghamton, and Executive Fiala issued a proclamation declaring the same for all of Broome County. 

"We honor National Wear Red Day to bring attention to the dangers of heart disease, and to inspire women and our entire community to take charge of their hearts and health," said Mayor Ryan. "I’ll be showing my support by wearing red this Friday, and I encourage others to join me and the many citizens who will be commemorating this day."

"National Wear Red Day raises awareness about women’s health and the impact of heart disease," said Executive Fiala. "I encourage individual support and participation by adding red to Friday’s attire."   

The AHA and other public heath organizations helped start National Wear Red Day to raise awareness that heart disease affects both men and women. Heart disease is the number one cause of death for both men and women, counter to stereotypes associating the condition as a male disease.

The AHA reports that diseases of the heart are the nation’s leading cause of death, and stroke is the third leading cause of death. Cardiovascular disease claims the lives of nearly 455,000 American females each year, approximately one death per minute.

Each year, 53% of all deaths due to cardiovascular disease and 61% of stroke deaths occur in females.  More women die of heart disease, stroke, and all other cardiovascular diseases than the next five leading causes of death combined, including all cancers.

In addition to the physical toll, heart disease represents a great financial cost, too. In 2008, the direct and indirect cost of cardiovascular diseases in the U.S., including stroke, was estimated to be $475.3 billion, according to the AHA.

"Too few people realize that heart disease is the number one killer of American women - and of men," said Mary Kate Hartmann, American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Director of Communications for the Syracuse Metro Region. "About 480,000 women die of cardiovascular disease annually, more than the total number of cardiovascular disease-related deaths in men or the next four causes of death combined.

"The good news is that heart disease is largely preventable. In association to National Wear Red Day, we’re empowering women with knowledge and tools so they can take positive action to reduce their risks of heart disease and stroke and protect their health. Through efforts like these, we can save thousands of lives each year."

For more information on the American Heart Association, visit www.americanheart.org.