Sister to Sister

On Friday, February 21, 2003, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Tommy G. Thompson proclaimed the third Friday in February as National Woman's Heart Day.

Tommy Thompson, former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, speaks at the 2003 National Woman’s Heart Day opening ceremony in Washington, D.C.

"I'm proud to declare this day, and the third Friday in every February, as Woman's Heart Day.  Only about one-third of American women know that heart disease is the leading cause of death among women. In fact, one in three women dies of heart disease," Secretary Thompson said. "The good news is that heart disease is preventable. There are simple steps to women's heart health: Be sure to exercise, eat fruits and vegetables, and don't smoke. Women also should talk to a health professional, find out about risk factors, and take action to control them."

Heart disease risk factors include those that are beyond women's control - family history of early heart disease and age, and those that can be controlled. The risk factors that can be controlled are smoking, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, overweight/obesity, physical inactivity and diabetes. While having even one risk factor is dangerous, having multiple risk factors is especially serious, because risk factors can worsen each other's effects.

"We're delighted that Secretary Thompson has proclaimed today -- and the third Friday of every February -- as Woman's Heart Day. Raising awareness that there is a problem is the first step in getting women to make the changes in their lives that can help lead them to a healthy heart," said Irene Pollin, president and founder of the Sister to Sister Foundation."

The third Friday of February continues to be recognized and celebrated as National Woman's Heart Day each year.  The Sister to Sister Women's Heart Health Fairs have traditionally been held on this day and awareness campaigns have brought nationwide attention to the significance of the issue.  In 2011, an International Woman's Heart Day Screening Event was celebrated in honor of women across the globe who are afflicted by cardiovascular diseases, while calling attention to the need for action.