Paula Kennedy, division director with the American Heart Association in Bowling Green, calls it her “Super Bowl.”

She’s referring not to Sunday’s football game, but to an entire month’s worth of events and education as part of Heart Month.

Kennedy, along with health care providers at local hospitals, are involved in many Heart Month activities in February geared toward addressing heart health in a state where it is an urgent topic.

“We are one of the red zones,” said Kennedy, referring to Kentucky’s status as one of the leading states for heart disease and for risk factors such as smoking and obesity. “But we’re in those communities to bring more awareness. Our mission is to bring awareness and raise funds to fight heart disease.”

She has plenty of help this month. Both The Medical Center and TriStar Greenview Regional Hospital are observing Wear Red Day on Friday to raise awareness of heart disease. Both hospitals are planning heart luncheons later this month.

At Western Kentucky Heart & Lung Associates on the Med Center Health campus, cardiologist Jacqueline Dawson pointed out that wearing red is about more than raising awareness. Sporting her own red pin on her scrubs, Dawson emphasized that wearing red also serves as a reminder to schedule a wellness visit that includes cholesterol and blood pressure screenings.

Wear Red Day is aimed specifically at improving women’s cardiovascular health, and Dawson points out that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women.

“Women perceive that cancer is a greater danger, but that’s not true,” Dawson said.

She cited statistics showing that an estimated 43 million U.S. women are affected by heart disease and that 90 percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease.

Dawson said the American Heart Association in 2010 established a goal of improving the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent while reducing deaths from cardiovascular disease and stroke by 20 percent by 2020.

Achieving that goal, she said, is a matter of addressing risk factors for heart disease. Some, like age and genetics, can’t be modified. But Dawson noted that many factors can be controlled.

Keeping diabetes and high blood pressure under control is important, as is getting at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week.

“You need to pay attention to your diet as well,” Dawson said. “Stay away from sugars and soft drinks and eat more fruit and vegetables. And don’t smoke. That’s the biggest one.”

Dawson said it’s important to pay attention to warning signs such as chest pain and shortness of breath and fatigue. One of her patients, Edmonson County resident Mary Woosley, is an example of how important that is.

Woosley, 74, survived a heart attack in 2014 by heeding the warning signs. The blockage that led to the heart attack was addressed by putting a stent in one of her arteries. Today, Woosley says early detection was a life-saver.

“If you have symptoms, see a doctor,” she said.

Woosley now goes to cardiac rehabilitation classes three times a week and takes medication to control her blood pressure.

“I still lead a very active life,” she said. “I’m very thankful.”

– Follow business reporter Don Sergent on Twitter @BGDNbusiness or visit bgdailynews.com.