image of hands wearing red mittens holding a red heart

Libin Wears Red

Help us raise awareness about women's heart health: Wear Red on February 13th

group of people wearing red and standing in the shape of a heart

Heart and vascular disease is the leading cause of hospitalization and premature death for women in Canada. Globally, cardiovascular diseases impact one out of three women, yet women everywhere are under-studied, underdiagnosed, under-treated, and under-aware when it comes to their heart and vascular health.

The good news is that 80% of risk factors for heart and vascular diseases are largely preventable. Wear Red Canada is celebrated annually on February 13 to raise awareness about women’s heart and vascular health.  

The Libin Cardiovascular Institute urges you to wear red on Feb. 13 to further awareness and discussion about women's heart health. 

What's Happening?

Wear Red Canada Activities in Calgary

Feb. 13

Libin Wears Red - Foothills Campus, HSC Atrium (near the Hippocrates statue) - Learn more about women's heart health, grab a sweet treat and join us for a Wear Red group photo at 1 p.m.


Feb. 13

Light the Town Red participants: Olympic Plaza, Calgary Tower, Reconciliation Bridge, Delta Hotels Calgary South, West Village Towers, South Pointe Toyota & Prestige Automotive Group,  Jack Carter Chevrolet Buick GMC, Carriage House Hotel, Vivo for Healthier Generations


Feb. 13

Free admission to the Kinetix Gym (UCalgary FMC Campus) for anyone wearing red on Feb.13!


Feb. 13

Active in the Atrium (UCalgary FMC Campus) - free workout class on Feb 13 dedicated to Wear Red Canada


March 14

Wear Red Canada Mobile Education Booth @ UCalgary PUMP (Prospective Medical Professionals) Fair


Click image to learn more


illustrated image of diverse women

Heart Attack Warning Signs for Women

Half of women who experience heart attack have their symptoms go unrecognized. Heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases often go undetected in women because their symptoms can differ from men’s. 

The most commonly reported symptoms in women are:  

  • Chest pain or discomfort (for example, pressure, tightness or burning)
  • Pain in the jaw, neck, arm or back
  • Abnormal excessive sweating
  • Shortness of breath
  • Stomach pain or discomfort, or feelings of nausea or indigestion

Other accompanying or associated symptoms include: 

  • Unusual weakness or fatigue
  • Back, shoulder or right arm pain
  • Sleep disturbance
  • Dizziness or lightheadness
  • Fast or irregular heartbeat

If you feel that something is not right, seek medical attention immediately. 

Lichtman JH, et al. Circulation. 2018;137:781-790


screen capture of various women speaking about heart health

Her Heart Matters

Watch a series of educational videos from the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Alliance. These videos highlight a variety of topics relating to women’s heart and brain health. 

Watch now


Local Researchers & Clinicians Are Advancing Women's Heart Health

The Libin Cardiovascular Institute's Women’s Cardiovascular Health Initiative is advancing women's heart health by close this gap in research, training and care, enabling the best possible outcomes for women.

Learn more about this important initiative by clicking on the button below. 

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A huge thank you to our community partners for their support

  • Aerie CrossIron Mills
  • Calgary Fire Fighters Association 
  • Calgary Meals on Wheels
  • Calgary Tower
  • Canadian Blood Services, Calgary
  • The Carriage House Hotel & Conference Centre 
  • City of Calgary Fire Department
  • Delta Hotels Calgary south
  • Famoso Italian Pizzeria - Country Hills
  • Jack Carter Chevrolet Buick GMC
  • Menopause Canada: @menopausecanada (Instagram)
  • MNP Community & Sports Centre
  • Olympic Plaza
  • Prospective Medical Professionals
  • Reconciliation Bridge
  • Ruth Monslave, Shane Homes YMCA Zumba Instructor
  • South Pointe Toyota & Prestige Automotive Group
  • UCalgary Center for Mindfulness/ Student Advocacy and Wellness Hub
  • UCalgary Medical Sciences Graduate Students’ Association
  • UCalgary Working our Way to Wellness Initiative/ Kinetix Gym
  • UNA Local
  • Vivo for Healthier Generations
  • West Village Towers
  • Women’s Center of Calgary
  • Women a Day with Danaye: @awomanadayyyc (Instagram)
  • Winners Cross Iron Mills
  • Winners Heritage Hills
Wear Red Canada Club logo

Join the Wear Red Canada Club

The Wear Red Canada Club is a UCalgary student-run club dedicated to raising awareness about women's cardiovascular health. If you want to make a difference and connect with like-minded individuals passionate about women's health, visit the link below.

Learn more


Meet the Local Team

Nabilah Gulamhusein, Community Engagement Trainee Lead, Wear Red Canada

Wear Red Canada Graduate Trainee Lead

Nabilah Gulamhusein is an MSc student in the Dept. of Medicine at the University of Calgary. Her research focuses on cardiovascular risk and vascular function in postmenopausal women and women with chronic kidney disease. Her commitment to women’s health through research and advocacy has been recognized provincially through a Women in STEM scholarship from the Government of Alberta in 2022.

Dr. Sandra M Dumanski, Central Physician Lead, Wear Red Canada

Dr. Sandra M Dumanski, Central Physician Lead

Dr. Sandra M Dumanski, MD, MSc, FRCPC is an Assistant Professor in the Dept. of Medicine at the University of Calgary. Dr Dumanski’s program of research merges her scientific training in translational physiology and vascular health outcomes with her clinical expertise in kidney, cardiovascular, and reproductive medicine, and endeavors to advance equity in cardiovascular research and care.  Dr Dumanski sits on the Canadian Women's Heart Health Alliance Advocacy Committee, and is the Central Physician Lead for Wear Red Canada.

Elaha Niazi

Wear Red Canada Undergraduate Trainee Lead

Elaha Niazi is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Calgary. Elaha's primary research interest lies in the intersection between female cardiovascular and reproductive health. She is currently investigating the effect of exogenous sex hormones on the cardiovascular health of females undergoing in-vitro fertilization. Elaha sits on the Canadian Women's Heart Health Alliance Regional Planning Committee, where she is involved in community advocacy efforts for Wear Red Canada Day to raise awareness about women's heart health.

Simi Juriasingani

Trainee Lead for Health Professional Engagement

Simi Juriasingani is a medical student at the Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary. She has earned a PhD from and several Ontario Graduate Scholarships for her research at Western University which was focused on improving organ preservation to optimize kidney transplant outcomes. She has advocated for women’s health and wellness as a liaison at a women’s shelter in Ontario prior to  joining the Wear Red Canada campaign's Calgary team. 

Sarah Blaney

Community Partnership Coordinator

Sarah Blaney, RN, BN, is a Registered Nurse who works in Internal Medicine in Calgary, Alberta. She enjoys working in an acute and complex medical environment which encompasses many body systems as it requires the fast implementation of higher-level thinking and possess a large degree of variation. Her practice has grown her passion for health promotion, specifically at the level of community prevention. Sarah is the Community Partnership Coordinator for “Wear Red Canada” and works closely with local organizations and larger corporations.