Senator Friedman shows support for Go Red For Women Movement

BOSTON – On Tuesday, Feb. 6, Senator Friedman joined Attorney General Maura Healey, Treasurer Deb Goldberg, Senate President Harriette Chandler, and many other legislative colleagues at the annual Go Red For Women Movement at the State House. The event was hosted by the American Heart Association and the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators, which Senator Friedman is a member of.

Go Red For Women is the American Heart Association’s national movement to end heart disease and stroke in women. It aims to encourage women to learn their family health history and to be proactive by meeting with their healthcare provider to determine their risk for cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

Legislators from across the state wore red in honor of National Wear Red Day to support the cause, raise awareness for heart disease and stroke among women and advocate for more research and swifter action for women’s heart health. Remarks were given by Senate President Harriette Chandler, Speaker Robert DeLeo, Representative Colleen Garry, and Sandra Holloway, a heart failure survivor and Mrs. Massachusetts 2018.

“Every 80 seconds, a woman dies of heart disease, but eighty percent of cardiovascular diseases can be prevented,” said Senator Friedman. “It is critically important for us to encourage all of the women in our lives to go to the doctor, monitor their blood pressure, and stay active to maintain a healthy heart.”

More women than men die every year from these causes – almost 1 in 3 women will die from it this year. Additionally, almost ninety percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease or stroke.

The Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators has been collaborating with the American Heart Association for over twelve years to bring this movement to the State House.

For more information on steps you can take to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke, please visit: GoRedForWomen.org or Heart.org.