GoRedforWomen

The No. 1 cause of death for women? Cardiovascular disease. 💔

Here’s a move you can do anytime, anywhere to get started. Standing with feet hip-width apart, keeping back straight, bend knees and hips as if to sit down in a chair with arms out in front of you. For squats, straighten back up and repeat. For chair pose, hold in a “seated” position. 💪 Add Intensity: Raise arms overhead or hold weight(s) at chest or shoulders Learn more ways to move more 👉 heart.org/fitness

Si reconoce uno de los signos de un derrame cerebral, llame al 911 de inmediato. ¡El tratamiento rápido salva vidas!

"I think I survived for a purpose, and my baby survived for a purpose, if I can help others get through what I went through. And I want to do that." Carolina was 6 months pregnant when she had a stroke caused by a blood clot in her brain. After a second stroke, her baby girl had to be delivered by C-section. She was just 4 pounds, 3 ounces. "Thankfully now I’m taking medications, being monitored by a hematologist and neurologist, and thanking God that my baby girl and I are both alive. I still have some left-side weakness but with patience, more therapy, and never giving up, I know I’ll continue to get better." Your story matters and sharing it can help someone else. Connect with others in our free, online community: supportnetwork.heart.org

Does it feel like everything takes more energy after your stroke? Post-stroke fatigue is one of the most common and least understood challenges survivors face. Join our next virtual Stroke Meetup to connect with people who understand what you're going through, share experiences, ask questions and learn practical strategies for navigating fatigue together. Whether you're looking for answers, encouragement or simply a community that gets it, we're here for you. Register today to save your spot at our free virtual Stroke Meetup:://events.zoom.us/ev/AqOyrDbMdOHmysEKKblwFXwq82Wk8Kf2AkZCYCBQfrE5phTQJVWR~AiWapgLGUSbVFXuE-vKy3WGkMX53ndrAlr71ZVvTwuo9zzt9DS-HpfrvQgLczf-ym0M9Ml4z33BgYtIgToVjjs5nmQ

Dr. Manesh Patel’s signature curiosity and drive fuel his focus on closing the divide between discovery and care. Get to know the new American Heart Association president: bit.ly/3RolE4N

Cardiovascular disease is our No. 1 threat, and Black women are often hit the hardest. When Black mothers are healthy, families and generations grow stronger. Award-winning singer-songwriter, actress and producer Kandi Burruss and her daughter Riley Burruss, star of Bravo’s “Next Gen NYC”, joined us at the 2026 Red Dress Collection Concert to help us raise awareness. Kandi wore Rizman Ruzaini while Riley Burruss wore Monique Lhuillier. #RedDressCollection x Kandi Burruss and Riley Burruss

Personality changes are common after a stroke, but there are several therapy options that can help. Ask your doctor about testing to evaluate cognitive impairment and memory loss, as well as a screening for post-stroke depression. Managing personality changes is vital for the best possible recovery.

Shanelle Dawes had a heart attack but for a week, she had no idea what happened. She did not recognize any of the signs. Shanelle is a part of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women 2026 Class of Survivors. To learn more about her, visit goredforwomen.org/en/about-heart….

"My symptoms were vague. I could have explained most of them away with 1,000 different excuses (I'm a mom; I'm tired; I didn't eat anything; I was in a hurry), but for some reason that day, I kept saying to the ER doctor, 'Something is wrong. I'm not usually this exhausted. This is not normal,' and he listened. In a nutshell, he saved my life." Kim survived a spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) and wants to make sure you don't take your heart for granted. Trust your instincts when something doesn't feel right. Advocate for your heart. Your story matters and sharing it can help someone else. Connect with others in our free, online community: supportnetwork.heart.org

Dan Rolfes had just coached his girls’ high school basketball team to a state semifinal win. But what he felt in the locker room wasn’t the usual excitement and jitters that come with a title run. He told his wife, Lisa, he thought something was wrong. Minutes later, Dan slumped over in the car. His lips were turning blue. He wasn’t breathing. His heart had stopped. His daughter Kate called 911. His wife, Lisa, started CPR and shocked his heart with an AED an assistant coach located nearby. Paramedics arrived a few minutes later. They worked on him for around 30 minutes before getting a sustained rhythm. In the emergency room, medical staff determined Dan’s cardiac arrest was triggered by a heart attack. While Dan fought for his life in the hospital, his team played for the state title and won. His daughter filled in as coach. Dan’s battle would continue throughout the summer. His kidneys failed, requiring him to go on dialysis. He also had to learn how to walk again. When he was strong enough, doctors gave him an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, or ICD, to shock his heart if it were to start beating dangerously fast. In November, he returned to the basketball court for the start of the season, coaching his team to another state title in the same arena where Dan had his heart attack. “Our players were super nervous, and honestly so was I,” said Dan, who had Kate and Lisa by his side. “But that win was a full-circle moment for me and the girls.” “I was so fortunate that Lisa was there to administer CPR right away.” Read Dan’s Story From the Heart: bit.ly/4f4u6hg

Heart failure cost 25-year-old Alyssa Reader three limbs. But it didn’t take her strength or her hope. In the hospital with both sides of her heart failing, doctors said she had about a 10% chance of survival. They tried ECMO, a form of temporary life support that circulates the blood, to allow her heart to heal. A week later, her heart was beating strong. Then came the startling discovery that blood wasn’t flowing through Alyssa’s legs or right arm. To live, she needed her legs and right arm amputated. In and out of consciousness, Alyssa told her mom, Natalie, that yes, she wanted everything possible done to save her life. The surgery went according to plan. After a month in the intensive care unit, Alyssa started physical rehabilitation. She received prosthetics. Six months after she was first rushed to the ER – Alyssa moved into an accessible room in her parents’ home. As a triple amputee in heart failure, her progress has been slow. She gets fatigued easily as she builds her muscle strength up from zero while re-learning balance and endurance. “Alyssa has a lot of grace,” Natalie said. “Something like this can make you super bitter against the world. But Alyssa doesn’t sit in a corner kicking and screaming and saying ‘Why me?’ It’s, ‘These are the cards I was dealt, and we move on.’” Now 27, Alyssa’s goal is to live independently and to drive. Seeing other amputees on social media living on their own and enjoying hobbies like hiking makes her think she can, too. “Everybody rooting for me has helped me to be in a positive space,” Alyssa said. “As traumatic as everything was, I’m so lucky and blessed to be alive so I can keep creating memories with my family and friends. I wouldn’t have survived this without them. I truly feel like I made it for a reason.” Read Alyssa’s Story From the Heart: heart.org/en/news/2026/0…

Here’s a move you can do anytime, anywhere to get started. Standing or sitting with feet hip-width apart, slowly roll both shoulders forward, up, back and down. Reverse direction. 💪 Add Intensity: Hold hand weights down at sides. Learn more ways to move more 👉 heart.org/fitness

After months of not feeling well, Migdalia Rodriguez kept pushing for answers. What she discovered was a severely enlarged heart in heart failure. She needed a heart transplant – and she got one. Now her mission is to raise awareness and encourage women to advocate for themselves.

At 35, Lynda Marino experienced sudden cardiac arrest while driving with her 2-year-old daughter. Her car slowed on a busy Buffalo highway—honks blared, then strangers rushed to help. “My life was saved by a number of people that day,” said Lynda. “It starts with a gentleman who was driving behind me and happened to be on the phone with his sister, explaining, ‘Something is really weird with this car. I have to do something.’” He stopped her car, and another couple sprang into action. One performed CPR, the other comforted her child. “All of us, as women, often get overlooked for bystander CPR,” she said. “It’s so incredibly important to have the knowledge of how to be someone else’s hero, because you never know. The majority of cardiac arrests happen outside of a medical environment.” A sheriff used an AED. Lynda was transported to the hospital and survived. Lynda, who has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a thickened heart muscle, was eager to return to raising her kids and her career as marketing director. Since her cardiac arrest, she has had multiple surgeries and used different implantable devices over the years. “My life is still in the hands of medical experts to this day,” she said. “I’m fully reliant on my pacemaker. My heart has no natural rhythm on its own, so I’m completely dependent on technology.” In December 2023, she was one of the first two recipients at the Cleveland Clinic of a dual-chamber leadless pacemaker that was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration. It helps Lynda continue to live a full, active life with her family. She continues to advocate for heart research and awareness. Lynda was a part of the 2024 Class of Survivors.

You protected that heart-shaped tag as if your life depended on it. It’s time to protect your actual heart. Get your cholesterol checked and talk to your doctor about what the numbers mean about your heart health risk.

A reminder from Grammy Award nominated-singer, songwriter and actress Chlöe Bailey: as you're giving to the one you love, give that love and care to yourself too. “This is our temple, this is the only body that we've been given in this lifetime,” she said. “So we have to cherish it and take care of it as much as we can.” Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 health threat for women, but 80-percent of heart disease and stroke may be preventable with lifestyle changes. The American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 for Women are key to protecting your heart at every age: 1️⃣ Embrace healthy eating 2️⃣ Move your body 3️⃣ Don't be toxic. Quit tobacco. 4️⃣ Sleep like a star 5️⃣ Stay well with weight 6️⃣ Be a cholesterol freak 7️⃣ Keep blood pressure in check 8️⃣ Know the blood pressure basics Small steps today can make a big difference tomorrow. Chlöe joined us earlier this year at the Red Dress Collection Concert in New York to help raise awareness. She wore Salih Balta on the red carpet and Goddess Exclusive on the runway. #RedDressCollection x @chloebailey

Telehealth is easy, convenient, and protects your privacy the same as an in-person visit. Here’s how.

Thirteen years after her first heart attack and four months after receiving another stent, Lori Sepich attended a Go Red for Women luncheon with her coworkers — reluctantly, and in turquoise. Surrounded by a sea of red, everything changed. Hearing another survivor’s story, she realized it was her story too — one she hadn’t fully accepted. She left feeling empowered. The next day, Lori connected with the American Heart Association in Memphis and began sharing her journey. Over six years later, she’s still inspiring others. “It's OK to have this and to speak about it proudly and be proud of a journey of survival.” Today, Lori is part of the Heart Association’s Go Red for Women 2026 Class of Survivors.

At 35, Stephanie Austin had a cardiac arrest in her sleep, and was saved by her husband. "After you have died, you realize what matters most."