Both on and off the court, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women in the U.S., claiming over 440,000 lives each year, according to the American Heart Association. In an effort to tackle this issue, the Go Red for Women movement is raising awareness and education on women’s heart health. This year, 19 NCAA women’s basketball coaches are joining together as part of the Hearts on the Court Collective to promote heart health.
Led by Kim Mulkey, head coach at Louisiana State University, the Collective aims to educate and empower women and their communities about cardiovascular disease. This initiative highlights the need for women to prioritize their heart health. Misdiagnosis and lack of treatment often stem from insufficient representation of women in clinical research. The Collective is here to change that narrative and encourage women to understand their health risks.
Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, emphasizes, “Women need to listen to their bodies and advocate for themselves.” This message resonates in sports and life. Coaches are mentors and role models, and they have a unique ability to inspire change.
During the women’s college basketball season, the Collective will share important health tips through social media, focusing on the Life’s Essential 8™ for Women. These steps include:
- Knowing vital health numbers like blood pressure and cholesterol
- Eating healthy foods
- Staying active
- Avoiding tobacco
- Getting quality sleep
Coaches will also address how different life stages, such as pregnancy and menopause, can affect heart health.
Kim Mulkey highlights the significance of this initiative: “We all want to protect the women in our lives.” The message is clear—preventing heart disease is a collective effort, and every action counts.
Despite being largely preventable, cardiovascular disease remains a top killer in the U.S. Research indicates that about 80% of heart attacks and strokes can be avoided, but nearly half of women don’t recognize this risk. By taking serious steps like lifestyle changes and education, many heart-related events can be prevented.
The Go Red for Women movement continues to fill the gaps in education and clinical care, aiming to meet women’s health needs at every stage of life. Together, communities can work towards a healthier future.
For more information about heart health, you can visit the American Heart Association’s comprehensive resources here.
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Blood, Cardiovascular Disease, CPR, Education, Heart, Heart Disease, OCT, Research, Women's Health
