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Free Health Screenings Aim to Identify Risk of Heart Disease in Women

Posted on: Wednesday, 20 February 2008, 15:00 CST

BALTIMORE, Feb. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to screen and educate women about heart disease prevention, the Sister to Sister Foundation will hold its annual Women's Heart Health Fair on Tues., Feb. 26 at the Baltimore Convention Center from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Mayor Sheila Dixon has granted non-essential female workers two hours leave that day to encourage attendance. Free MTA bus passes area available and can be obtained by calling 410.616.8953.

Heart disease is the leading killer of American women, claiming more lives than the next six causes of death combined. The good news is that in most cases, heart disease can be prevented by making simple lifestyle changes, like making changes in diet and exercise.

"These screenings are vital. Based on our statistics from previous years, four out of ten women who get the heart screenings will learn that they have two or more risk factors for heart disease," said State Senator and Sister to Sister Baltimore co-chair Catherine Pugh. "We encourage women to bring their moms, their sisters, their friends and their coworkers. It could save their lives."

The free 15-minute heart disease screening includes cholesterol level, blood pressure, Body Mass Index, waist circumference and a review of family health history, with on-the-spot results and one-on-one counseling with a licensed professional.

In addition to getting a free heart screening, women who attend the health fair will learn how they can incorporate a heart-healthy lifestyle in to their daily activities. Medical experts from local hospitals will talk with the women and answer their questions concerning heart health. Local chefs will demonstrate heart-conscious recipes and fitness experts will present activities that complement healthy eating. Other medical experts will talk about diabetes, obesity, smoking cessation and stress management -- all factors in heart health. Free massages will be offered to reduce stress, vendors will add to the fun, and attendees will have the opportunity to go home with giveaways and prizes.

Although heart disease kills more women than the top six types of cancer combined, only 13% of women see this gender-neutral killer as their greatest personal health risk. Two-thirds of women who die suddenly of heart disease had no prior symptoms or awareness of their own risk factors. In other words, the first symptom is death.

About Sister to Sister:

The Sister to Sister Foundation, a national 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, is dedicated to preventing heart disease among women through free cardiac screenings. In addition, Sister to Sister provides women with resources to increase awareness about heart disease, to encourage healthy lifestyles, and to reduce risk factors for heart disease, the #1 killer of women today. For more information about the National Women's Healthy Heart Campaign, go online to http://www.sistertosister.org/.

Sister to Sister Foundation

CONTACT: Dorothy Fuchs of Sandy Hillman Communications for Sister toSister Foundation, +1-410-598-1719, dfuchs@hillmanpr.com

Web site: http://www.sistertosister.org/

Source: PRNewswire

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