February is about more than just wearing red. It’s an opportunity to spread awareness, support those you love, honor those you’ve lost and unite in the fight against the No. 1 killer of women in the U.S.: heart disease.

Mayo Clinic Health System staff will participate in this year’s Go Red for Women Day. On the first Friday of every February, which is designated as American Heart Month, the nation will come together, igniting a wave of red across the country, including La Crosse, Wisconsin.

“Of all cardiac and stroke occurrences, eight percent can be prevented with education and action,” said Christopher Lee, D.N.P. certified nurse practitioner at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea and Austin “The most common heart attack symptom in women is some type of pain, pressure or discomfort in the chest. But it’s not always severe or even the most prominent symptom, particularly in women.”

Sometimes women may have a heart attack without chest pains, Lee said. He said women are more likely than men to have heart attack symptoms unrelated to chest pain, such as:

• Neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back or abdominal discomfort;
• Shortness of breath;
• Right arm pain;
• Nausea or vomiting;
• Sweating;
• Lightheadedness or dizziness; and
• Unusual fatigue

Mayo Clinic Health System staff look forward to joining the Go Red for Women movement and wearing something red on Feb. 7 to bring awareness to heart disease and stroke in women.