CAMBRIDGE — Staff and participants at Pleasant Day Medical Adult Day Care looked especially bright and colorful on Friday, though the scarlet shirts and sweaters had a serious purpose. The group was celebrating National Wear Red Day, as a way to bring attention to the issue of heart health.

“It’s geared more towards women,” Activities Director Missy LeCompte said, noting that heart disease isn’t always associated primarily with women.

Sponsored by the American Heart Association, the day is in support of “Go Red for Women”, a drive to make women aware of five numbers significant to their health: total cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and body mass index. “Knowing these numbers can help women and their healthcare providers determine their risk for developing cardiovascular diseases,” a statement on www.goredforwomen.org said. “It’s time for all women to know the most critical numbers in their lives - their hearts depend on it.”

Every year, Pleasant Day staff and participants unite for the special day.

“This movement exists to highlight the often overlooked heart diseases that, together with stroke, have become the number-one killer of women,” a statement from Pleasant Day said. “Ninety percent of women have one or more risk factors for heart disease or stroke. However, 80 percent of heart disease and stroke events may be prevented by lifestyle changes and education. It is hoped that wearing red on this day will encourage women to get their cardiovascular health checked and live healthier. The campaign has helped save over half a million women’s lives and has lowered the percentage of women’s deaths due to cardiovascular diseases by 34 percent. Together, we can save more lives.”