Heart disease is the no. 1 killer of women in the United States and Mayo Clinic Health System wants to raise awareness and urge women to take steps in the fight against heart disease in women.

According to a press release, Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea and Austin are once again participating in the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign. Staff at the medical centers in both communities will wear red Feb. 5 and will encourage others to do the same. Local businesses and organizations are again invited to participate by encouraging their employees to wear red and by submitting a photo of their employees in red to the Mayo Clinic Health System Facebook page. The photos will be posted on the site throughout the day. Photos should be submitted to mchssocialmedia@mayo.edu.

“February offers a great opportunity to remind the community what the risk factors for heart disease and stroke are — as well as how one can control their risk factors,” said Sandra Birchem, Mayo Clinic cardiologist that sees patients at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea. “We also want our communities we serve to know that if you do have symptoms to suggest heart attack  or stroke or know someone who does, we are here to help you as well as prevention by improving your risk factors to maintain healthy lifestyle in order to reduce your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.”

According to a press release, Birchem will be one of the speakers at the upcoming Women’s Health Care Symposium scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to noon, Feb. 27 at Wedgewood Cove Golf Club in Albert Lea. The symposium is free, and registration is required. To register call 507-668-2046.

For more information on preventing heart disease or to take a risk assessment, go to mayoclinichealthsystem.org/getchecked.