KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It's more than just a wardrobe choice: Go Red For Women Day is about raising awareness of heart disease, the leading cause of death for women.
Holly Giloth always lived a healthy lifestyle, but five years ago, her life quickly changed.
"In 2014, the wheels came off the cart and my heart stopped pumping," she said.
At the age of 48, Giloth was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, which caused her heart to become enlarged. In 2014, she underwent a heart transplant.
In the United States, one in four women die from heart disease, and it continues to be the No. 1 cause of death in women over the age of 35.
"Heart attack and stroke kill more women than all forms of cancer combined," said Dr. Tracy Stevens, a cardiologist at Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute.
On National Wear Red Day Friday, survivors like Giloth visited patients at Saint Luke's, sharing words of encouragement and advice.
"Keep your head down and take it one step at a time because if you don't, it can become overwhelming," Giloth said.
Health experts say eating healthy and being active can prevent heart disease by 95 percent. Giloth wants women to know that a diagnosis is not the end.
"There is life with heart disease, and it's not an end stop," Giloth said.
