Tomorrow, Illinois will paint the town red, but not for the reasons you might think. It's all in the name of National Wear Red Day on February 2, and Illinois isn't stopping there; the state is dedicating the entire month of February to Heart Health, as declared by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). They're on a mission to get Illinoisans in the know about cardiovascular disease and they're pushing everyone to don crimson hues for awareness and adopt more heart-conscious habits, according to an announcement made on Illinois.gov.

Started back in 2004, National Wear Red Day is the brainchild of the American Heart Association, devised to drive home the point that cardiovascular disease isn't just a man's ailment—it’s taking women's lives too—and it's time we all sat up and paid attention, the heart issue knows no pause especially when it comes to women at high-stress points in their lives, like pregnancy and menopause. Governor JB Pritzker emphasized the gravity of the situation, "With heart disease remaining the number one killer both nationally and in Illinois, Heart Health Month is a great reminder for everyone to start living a heart-healthy lifestyle," he was quoted saying on Illinois' official site. He's pushing for screenings to uncover risk factors, encouraging check-ups through health providers, or making use of programs like IDPH's Illinois WISEWOMAN Program.

The Lt. Governor isn’t sitting this one out either. Julianna Stratton took to the camera, recording a video advocating for the cause, "Let's start American Heart Health Month off strong! Join us on February 2nd by wearing red to raise awareness about heart health," she urged in a statement shared on the state’s website. IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra laid it out straight—heart disease is preventable only when risk factors are in the spotlight and monitored like hawks, and it starts with simple steps like changing diet to include more heart-friendly options, upping exercise, tracking both grub and physical activity, and, for heaven’s sake, getting enough sleep—because anything less is nothing to snooze at if you want to steer clear of heart issues.

Vohra didn't stop at just lifestyle changes, he pointed out cracking the whip on tobacco and keeping a hawk's eye on vitals like blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol. The Illinois WISEWOMAN Program is also at the forefront, ready to serve uninsured and underinsured women across 52 counties who meet certain criteria, because no woman should be left behind when it comes to heart health. Those interested in enrolling in the program can reach out to the Women's Health Line for eligibility details and assistance through the screening process.