THE ISSUE

Today is Go Red for Women Day, a time to raise awareness that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women.

Observant readers might wonder why the green “D” in the flag on the front page of the TimesDaily has been turned to red today.

The newspaper decided to join many others for Go Red for Women Day to increase awareness of the dangers of heart disease in women.

Although it doesn’t get as much attention as breast cancer, with its highly publicized pink campaign in October, heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women. It is more deadly than all forms of cancer combined.

An estimated 43 million U.S. women are affected by heart disease, according to the American Heart Association. It kills more women than men, and the symptoms in women can differ from those in men.

Part of the problem is awareness. While only 1 in 5 American women believe heart disease is her greatest health threat, the disease causes 1 in 3 women’s deaths each year.

For the last 10 years, the American Heart Association has hosted Go Red for Women Day and encouraged everyone to wear red. Because of the movement, more than 627,000 women’s lives have been saved, according to Gina Smith, regional director of the Greater Southeast Affiliate of the American Heart Association.

We encourage women to learn more about preventing the disease at heart.org, to recognize the symptoms and seek prompt treatment. All the red in the Shoals today should be a great reminder.