February has been proclaimed as National Heart Month.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), while heart disease and stroke kill one in every 3.7 men, one in 2.4 women lose their lives to heart disease and stroke – the no. 1 and no. 3 killers of women. By way of comparison, breast cancer kills one in 29 women.

The AHA is celebrating National Heart Month with a series of Go Red For Women events. The Go Red For Women campaign funds research around women and heart disease and stroke, and it aims to educate women so that they can lead longer, healthier lives.

Go Red For Women uses the color red and the red dress as a symbol of the ability all women have to improve their heart health and live stronger, longer lives, the AHA said.

The campaign began in February 2004 and has grown into a national movement as more women, men, celebrities, healthcare professionals and politicians have joined movement to promote education about heart disease.

The movement gives women tips and information on healthy eating, exercise and risk factor reduction, such as smoking cessation, weight maintenance, blood pressure control and blood cholesterol management.

To sign up for the Go Red For Women program by visit www.americanheart.org or call 1-888-MY-HEART to receive educational information and a red dress pin.

For more information on American Heart Association, visit www.americanheart.org.