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News Brief

Jan. 30, 2019 |  By: Ryan Elliot

American Heart Association asks us to wear red this Friday

The American Heart Association is encouraging people in Missouri to kick off American Heart Month by wearing red this Friday.
National Wear Red Day was established to kick off American Heart Month and to raise awareness for the effects of heart disease in America. Communications Director with the American Heart Association Julie Lay says one of the reasons to raise awareness is that much of the heart issues that affect people are preventable.

"Eighty percent really can be changed, even small changes.  Changing things in your diet, making sure you get some exercise, knowing what your core numbers are such as your cholesterol and your blood pressure.  Knowing what those are and really being proactive in your health and not letting it take a back seat.  Really making those small changes can make a difference.  And knowing your family history is one of those as well."

Lay adds, in Missouri specifically, a new initiative began this year.

"In Missouri this year we are doing an initiative to help raise awareness and help educate Missourians on changes they can make as well as unite survivors.  The initiative is #nomoheartdisease and we've been using survivor stories from across the state to really let people know the different ways heart disease can affect people from birth.  There are so many stories from people who suffer from congenital heart defects.  To people who are older and really are experiencing things due to high blood pressure."

For more information visit heart.org or the American Heart Association's Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages. Missourians can participate in Wear Red Day Friday by using the hashtags Go Red M-O or Wear Red Day on social media.