State Rep. Julie Harhart (R-Lehigh/Northampton) introduced a resolution unanimously approved by the House of Representatives to designate Friday, Feb. 1 as Wear Red for Women Day in Pennsylvania in order to raise awareness of women's cardiovascular disease.

"Cardiovascular disease is a serious health risk that still goes unidentified in too many women," said Harhart. "Although this campaign has helped to raise awareness and urged more women to talk with their doctors and recognize possible signs of heart disease, more still needs to be done. The fact is, heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women and yet, only one in five women believes it to be her greatest health risk. That's a statistic that has to change."Cardiovascular disease claims the lives of approximately one woman per minute in the United States. The Go Red for Women campaign is the American Heart Association's national call to increase awareness about heart disease and to inspire women to take charge of their heart health.Common symptoms of cardiovascular disease in women include:• Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.• Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort.• Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.House Resolution 37 gained unanimous passage on the House floor."I encourage all women, and men, to wear red on Friday, Feb. 1, in support of the Wear Red for Women Day campaign," said Harhart. "Through persistence and greater education of the issue, we can save lives."