This International Women's Day (8 March) the National Heart Foundation of Australia is urging Australian women to join the fight against their number one killer - heart disease.

"This year's theme is 'Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures' and as good health is essential for every woman's future, we are calling on women to join the 2012 Healthy Heart Challenge," said Dr Lyn Roberts, National CEO of the Heart Foundation.

"Monday 4 June marks the start of the Challenge - save the date and you will be doing something very important to save your heart.

"Heart disease is the number one killer of Australian women and 90% of us have at least one risk factor for heart disease and half of us have two or three of them.

"The good news is that simple changes can lower your risk of heart disease, which is why we're running our free, six week Healthy Heart Challenge again this year as part of our annual Go Red for Women campaign in June," Dr Roberts said.

Go Red for Women is the Heart Foundation's campaign to raise awareness of heart disease as the number one killer of Australian women.

Registrations open on 1 May at goredforwomen.org.au and the Challenge starts on Monday 4 June. Last year, over 17,000 women took part in the Challenge.

"Talk with a friend, relative or colleague and plan to register for the 2012 Healthy Heart Challenge and take the first steps towards better heart health.

"Like the Heart Foundation on Facebook or sign up for our free Go Red e-newsletter at goredforwomen.org.au to be sent reminders when Challenge registrations open on 1 May.

"Pick a goal that suits you - be active everyday, improve everyday nutrition, lower high blood pressure or lower high cholesterol levels," Dr Roberts said.

Each year Go Red for Women relies heavily on the generosity of corporate sponsors to help raise women's awareness of heart disease.

This year our national sponsor family is made up of National Presenting Sponsor AMP Capital Shopping Centres; National Supporting Sponsors - UNCLE TOBYS, Curves and Flora pro-activ and National Providing Sponsors - V-ZUG, Tefal and QR National.

Heart Foundation