650 Local Business Women Learn How to ‘Love Their Hearts’ at Go Red for Women Luncheon

INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 17 /PRNewswire/ — A sold-out American Heart Association Go Red for Women Luncheon will take place Feb. 24 at the Westin Hotel, downtown Indianapolis, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. For the first time, corporate tables sold out two weeks in advance of the luncheon, demonstrating a true sense of urgency on behalf of Indianapolis to address the issue of women and heart disease.

Presenting sponsors of the luncheon, The Heart Center of Indiana at 106th and North Meridian and Eli Lilly and Company, know that women are not only at risk for developing heart disease, but also make decisions about health care for the entire family.

Elizabeth Cisco, vice president of marketing at The Heart Center of Indiana, said, “Heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases have been the leading causes of death of women for the last 40 years. Women are finally starting to realize that heart disease is not just a ‘man’s disease.’ They are looking for answers about the disease that is mostly likely to affect them.”

Dr. Gwen Krivi, Lilly cardiovascular/acute care platform team leader, said, “If the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in women continues to climb, we could be facing a future of skyrocketing health care costs, especially as the baby boom generation ages. More than 90% of primary care physicians do not know that heart disease kills more women each year than men. If doctors don’t realize that women are at risk, they are less likely to refer them for aggressive screening and treatment. This luncheon is one way that we can educate women about their risk.”

Two local female survivors under the age of 45 will speak at the luncheon about how heart disease affected their careers and personal lives. Local experts will speak at three breakout sessions and will focus on mind, body, spirit, exercise, aging, and hormones related to heart disease. Keynote speaker, Annabelle Volgman, M.D. FACC, associate professor of medicine, Rush Medical College, will give a presentation titled “How to Stay Young at Heart and Not Lose Your Mind.”

The American Heart Association hopes to raise over $250,000 at this year’s luncheon. Go Red For Women Luncheons are signature events for the cause of women and heart disease. These events educate attendees and generate revenue to support women’s heart health education, awareness and research. Since inception, nearly 250 (179 in 2005 alone) Go Red For Women Luncheons have been held raising more than $15 million.

Go Red for Women is the American Heart Association’s national call to increase awareness of heart disease and to inspire women to take charge of their heart health. Women who understand their risks of heart disease, and know the steps to prevent it, are better equipped to avert this serious — and mostly preventable — threat to their health.

First Call Analyst: FCMN Contact:

American Heart Association

CONTACT: Laura Hague of American Heart Association, +1-317-873-3640