BAKERSFIELD, CA. — American Heart Month kicks off on February 1st. The American Heart Association will hold events throughout the month to raise awareness for heart disease and stroke. According to AHA, heart disease is the number 1 killer of men and women in the United States. Stroke is the number 2 killer in the United States.

Here is a list of events for American Heart Month:

Paint the Town Red
Saturday, February 1 | 10 a.m.
Meet at Padre Hotel - Downtown Bakersfield
Heart health supporters, survivors, and members of the AHA Kern County Division will kick off Heart Month on February 1 by painting downtown Bakersfield red with ribbons and signs to raise aware about heart disease and stroke, the No.1 and No. 5 killers of all Americans.

Honk for Hearts
Thursday, February 6
5:30 to 8 a.m. | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. | 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
^{11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Free blood pressure screenings and hands-only CPR training}

National Wear Red Day
Friday, February 7 | All Day
Kern County residents, businesses, health care providers, local media and community leaders are encouraged to wear red and share photos of themselves on social media using the hashtag #KernCountyGoesRed and tagging the division on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @AHAKernCounty.

Downtown Goes Red Business Judging
Friday, February 7 | 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Downtown Bakersfield. Meet at the Padre Hotel.
AHA Kern County Division volunteers view, judge and award prized to business window displays that went red in support of good heart and brain health.

Kern County Go Red for Women Luncheon
Friday, March 6
Health and wellness expo – 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Luncheon and fashion show – 12 to 1:30 p.m.

Bakersfield Marriott at the Convention Center
The AHA’s Kern County division will host its annual Go Red for Women Luncheon to raise awareness and funds to support women’s heart health. This empowering event focuses on preventing heart disease and stroke by promoting healthy lifestyles, building awareness and raising critically needed funds to support research and education initiatives.