The Go Red Day on campus was started to raise awareness about the many different health conditions. You may have seen various students walking around, wearing red on February 18, showing solidarity for health and wellness.

There are many health conditions that may be life-threatening if proper precautions are not taken. Some of these include heart attack, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Heart attack is the leading cause of death among Americans (heart.org). The former “occurs when the blood flow that brings oxygen to the heart muscle is severely reduced or cut off completely. This happens because coronary arteries that supply the heart muscle with blood flow can slowly become narrow from a buildup of fat, cholesterol and other substances that together are called plaque” (heart.org).

There are various methods to prevent such illness. According to the Mayo Clinic, such includes sustaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking, coping with stress and exercising on a regular basis (mayoclinic.org). These are lifestyle factors that individuals can incorporate into their daily routine.

Moreover, in reference to the American Heart Association, there are many signs of heart attacks that can be observed. These include uncomfortable pressure in the center of one’s chest, pain in the back, neck, jaw, stomach or one or both arms, shortness of breath, nausea, lightheadedness and breaking out in a cold sweat (heart.org). Knowing the signs of heart attack could lead to a better knowledge of what they entail, and possibly a faster path to receiving the help one needs.

Furthermore, added sugar in foods and drinks could potentially increase the risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Added sugars are those normally in a number of drinks and condiments (heart.org). For example, “a typical 12-ounce can of regular soda has 130 calories and eight teaspoons of sugar” (heart.org).

Additionally, sweets like cookies, ice cream and candy are also typically high in sugar. Replacing snacks with food items like dried fruit and drinking sparkling water as opposed to other sweetened beverages may help in reducing one’s risk for diabetes (heart.org).

Another ailment that some people face is high blood pressure. The latter is “a leading risk factor for death in women in the United States, contributing to nearly 200,000 female deaths each year (heart.org/sodium). It is known as the “silent killer” because someone can have high blood pressure without experiencing symptoms. It is also a risk factor for stroke and kidney failure (healthline.com

Awareness was raised on this day, allowing for students to grow in knowledge of heart diseases and possible symptoms, as well as preventative methods. Due to an increase in adolescent obesity in the last few years and the various illnesses attached to it, such may be important information.