AHA campaign to raise awareness of heart disease in women

Fashion, beauty and lifestyle retailers have joined the American Heart Association to raise awareness of heart disease in women.

The Go Red. Shop with Heart. campaign launched at the New York Stock Exchange on 30 January.

Retailers will ask for donations at checkout in February or donate a percentage of proceeds from selected items.

More than four in 10 women in the US have some form of cardiovascular disease, a term for heart and blood vessel conditions such as heart disease and stroke.

Heart disease and stroke kill more women in the US each year than all forms of cancer combined.

Brands taking part include Away, Commando, Lafayette 148, Michael Kors, Reebok, ShopSimon.com, Summersalt, Torrid and White & Warren.

More than 40 other nationwide retailers are also inviting customers to support the organisation this February through its Life Is Why campaign.

Nancy Brown is chief executive officer of the American Heart Association.

She said: “Nearly 1 in 3 women die from cardiovascular disease each year, yet women are still profoundly under-represented in the clinical research, science and medicine that could save their lives.

“Retailers and consumers are uniquely positioned to turn everyday moments into meaningful change through Go Red. Shop with Heart.”

According to the American Heart Association 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US and stroke is the number four cause of death.

The organisation projects that at least six in 10 US adults will have cardiovascular disease within the next 30 years and related costs are expected to triple.

However, approximately 80 per cent of cardiovascular disease is preventable through lifestyle changes.

Mindy Grossman is a volunteer board member at the American Heart Association and partner and vice chair of Consello.

Grossman said: “Retail has always been a powerful connector.

“Shop with Heart gives our industry a shared platform to lead with purpose and unite consumers in support of heart health.”