Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death among women in the United States, and projections suggest that nearly 6 in 10 U.S. women will have some form of cardiovascular disease by 2050, according to the American Heart Association. In response, women’s college basketball coaches are joining forces through the 2026 American Heart Association Go Red for Women Hearts on the Court Collective to raise awareness, educate women about their risks, and encourage them to seek care and support. The initiative, led by LSU women’s basketball Hall of Fame and NCAA championship head coach Kim Mulkey, brings together coaches from across the country to use their platforms throughout the season to reach fans, student-athletes, families, and communities with lifesaving health information.
“Too many women still face gaps in awareness, diagnosis, treatment and lifesaving care for cardiovascular disease,” said Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association. “For more than two decades, Go Red for Women has encouraged women to listen to their bodies, understand their risks, seek care when something does not feel right and advocate for the care they deserve. By bringing trusted coaches and mentors into this effort, the American Heart Association Go Red for Women Hearts on the Court Collective can help deliver health and hope to more women everywhere.”
Throughout the 2026-27 women’s college basketball season, members of the Collective will share health messages through social media and other team and community platforms. These messages will encourage women to take charge of their cardiovascular health, grounded in Life’s Essential 8 for Women, which includes knowing and managing key health numbers such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar; eating a healthy dietary pattern; moving more through regular physical activity; avoiding tobacco and nicotine; getting healthy sleep; and maintaining a healthy weight. The Collective will also highlight how women’s cardiovascular health can be affected by risk factors and conditions at different life stages, including adolescence, midlife, pregnancy and postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause.
“The women in our lives give so much of themselves every day, and they deserve the knowledge and support to protect their health,” said Kim Mulkey, women’s basketball head coach at Louisiana State University and national chair of the Hearts on the Court Collective. “Coaches understand the value of preparation, teamwork and taking action before the pressure is on. By coming together again, this Collective can help women know their risks, make heart-healthy choices and speak up for the care they need. That is a message we want our student-athletes, fans and all women to carry well beyond the basketball season.”
The 2026-27 Hearts on the Court Collective includes coaches from prominent universities such as Adia Barnes (Southern Methodist University), Jennie Baranczyk (University of Oklahoma), Kim Caldwell (University of Tennessee), Cori Close (UCLA), Niele Ivey (University of Notre Dame), and Vic Schaefer (University of Texas), among others. According to the American Heart Association, more than 80% of heart attacks and strokes are preventable. The Association’s Go Red for Women movement is committed to addressing gaps in cardiovascular health awareness and care while meeting the needs of women in every age, stage, and season of life.
Women can learn their risks, find health resources, and take action at GoRedforWomen.org. Additional resources, including a photo graphic of the 2026-27 Hearts on the Court Collective, are available via the release link. For more information on cardiovascular disease, visit heart.org, and for stroke-related resources, see stroke.org. The original release is also available on www.newmediawire.com.
