Friday, February 3 is National Wear Red Day, where the American Heart Association and health care experts from across the country are asking to come together and wear red for a good cause. 

It's been going on since 2003, aimed at raising awareness for some startling numbers: that  heart disease and stroke cause 1 in 3 deaths among women each year, killing approximately one woman every 80 seconds.  

Experts say 80% of cardiac and stroke events may be prevented with education and action.

Among the numbers each woman should know includes:

o    Total Cholesterol, 
o    HDL (good) 
o    Cholesterol 
o    Blood Pressure, 
o    Blood Sugar and 
o    Body Mass Index (BMI). 

Knowing these numbers can help women and their healthcare provider determine their risk for developing cardiovascular diseases.

Among the local groups taking part in a big way include Aurora St. Luke's and the Karen Yontz Center.

To celebrate National Wear Red Day, The Karen Yontz Women's Cardiac Awareness Center located within Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center will be hosting an open house from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.  

Women and men can come in, get their blood pressure screened, meet with our dietician, get free recipes and start their journey towards a healthier heart.

There will also be healthy refreshments.

Earlier this year the Karen Yontz Center announced expansion of its educational resources, where it's still about cardiac care but now our doctors within Aurora are looking at links between common cancer treatments and heart implications.

For women, this isn't something they usually think about after, say, a breast cancer diagnosis. But it's an important resource for the community as well.

Here are the event details:

The Karen Yontz Center, 2nd Floor of Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center
2900 W. Oklahoma Ave. Milwaukee, Friday 3rd, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

For more information call 414-649-5767