Grundy Reporter

State Rep. Jackie Haas (R-Bourbonnais) took to social media to talk about Wear Red for Women Day on Feb. 4, plus share some tips on how to reduce the risk for stroke among women. 

"Today is Wear Red Day, a movement to raise awareness about heart disease in women," Haas wrote in a Facebook post. 

Haas shared a graphic from the American Heart Association that pointed out women are at a higher risk of suffering a stroke, listed some risk factors and ways to decrease the chances of it happening. The graphic noted that stroke is the fourth leading cause of death among women.

"Heart disease and stroke can affect a woman at any age, making it vital for all women to understand their personal risk factors and family history," Haas wrote in the post.

She directed her followers to www.goredforwomen.org to learn more information about the wear red movement.

According to the organization's website, the Go Red for Women campaign takes place each year on Feb. 4 and started 18 years ago. It aims to raise awareness and encourage women to take their heart health seriously. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, women between the ages of 55 and 75 have a one-in-five risk of having a stroke. The agency also noted that four out of five strokes could have been prevented. 

The U.S. Health and Human Services offers a number of tips to help women reduce their risk of stroke.

These tips include: keep a normal blood pressure, quit smoking, keep your glucose levels normal, get treated for heart disease, keep cholesterol levels normal, eat healthy, get active, and keep a healthy weight.