National Women’s Heart Health Fair to offer free screenings, tips, demos and advice

Women can get free heart-health screenings; pick up tips from health, fitness and stress experts; and enjoy heart-healthy cooking and fitness demos

by PegNews wire

DALLAS — Did you know that heart disease is the number one killer of American women, claiming more lives than the next six causes of death combined? Tragically, 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!

The good news is that many cases of cardiovascular disease are PREVENTABLE with heart-healthy lifestyles and appropriate medical care. That’s why it’s critical that women get screened to learn their risk factors and take steps to reduce them.

To address this need, women can obtain free heart health screenings with on-the-spot results and counseling at the National Women’s Heart Health Fair on Saturday, February 9, 2008. Sponsored by the Sister to Sister Foundation, the health fair will be at the Dallas Convention Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The health fair is FREE and open to the public.

DART, the official transportation provider for the event, will offer light rail and bus service directly to the Convention Center station (go to www.dart.org or call 214-979-1111 for information). Parking is available in the Convention Center garage and at nearby lots.

“Although one out of every three female adults will get cardiovascular disease – coronary heart disease, hypertension and stroke – only 13% of women see this gender-neutral killer as their greatest personal health risk,” said Irene Pollin, the foundation’s founder and president. “Another thing women must know is that heart attack symptoms are different for them. Women may feel shortness of breath, fatigue, abdominal pressure, nausea or heartburn, or jaw, neck, back or upper shoulder pain.”

The 15-minute health screenings include cholesterol and triglyceride, blood pressure, blood glucose levels, Body Mass Index, waist circumference and review of family health history. Screening results are provided on-site and include an overall risk assessment and counseling with a licensed professional. Fitness and cooking demonstrations, stress management seminars with counseling and interactive activities, 100 exhibitor booths plus educational seminars are scheduled on five stages. The Univision Stage will feature Spanish-language presentations. Medical and health experts will participate in the panel discussions and Q&A sessions focusing on diabetes, heart disease, cardiovascular research and fitness (see schedule on last page). Zumba, body hooping (exercise with a hula hoop) and other exercise forms will be featured at the “Fitness Through Dance” area. Guests are encouraged to join in the exercise sessions.

Those seeking daily exercise can take advantage of the large walking track surrounding the Health Fair area. The first-ever “Big Walk” for adults and family members will begin at 1 p.m. Also on tap are breast cancer screenings offered at the YWCA’s mobile mammogram unit and free chronic kidney disease screenings.

Topics for educational seminars include “Women and Heart Disease 101,” “Women and Fitness,” “Women and Cardiovascular Research,” “Women and Diabetes” and “Congestive Heart Failure.” Discussing these topics will be medical and health experts from Baylor Heart and Vascular Hospital.

Mrs. Pollin, who also co-owns the Verizon Center and NBA’s Washington Wizards with her husband, Abe, organized Sister to Sister in 2000. It is the only national organization focused on screening and prevention of women’s heart disease.

“We must convince women to take the initiative to look after their own health and their families,” said Mrs. Pollin. “Screening for potential heart problems is a critical first step. Unfortunately, many women who juggle multiple duties neglect their personal well-being and may be toying dangerously with their own health. Care-giving is great, but looking after one’s health is just as important. “

The heart health fairs occur annually in 17 major U.S. cities. Of the 50,000 women screened since 2000, 80% of women screened have recognized for the first time that they are at risk for heart disease.

Redbook is the national media partner. National corporate partners are Abbott Labs, Smart Balance, Novartis and Cardinal Health Foundation, the national breakfast sponsor. Government partners are the Office on Women’s Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Research on Women’s Health in the National Institutes of Health, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute in NIH, and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Local major sponsors include Baylor Heart and Vascular Hospital, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of North Texas, Junior League of Dallas, Office on Women’s Health and Oncor. Media sponsors are The Dallas Morning News, WFAA Channel 8, Time Warner Cable, Al Dia, Univision 23, Univision Radio, The Dallas Weekly, Health Wise, Generations, North Texas Kids, KRNB 105.7-FM, and KDMX / Mix 102.9.

United States Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison is serving as the Honorary Chair for a fourth year. The event’s Co-Chairs are Colleen Barrett; Angie Chen Button; Laura V. Estrada; U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson; The Honorable Margaret Keliher, Wendy Lopez, P.E.; Reverend Dr. Sheron C. Patterson; Texas Senator Florence Shapiro; Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez; and Laura Whitley. A stellar group of women leaders representing business, government, non-profit and the civic community serve on the 67-member Community Council.

SCHEDULE:

· The Big Walk: Will begin at 1 p.m.

· Educational seminars: 10 and 11 a.m. and noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. plus a sharing of personal testimonials at 3 p.m.

· Cooking demonstrations: 11:30 a.m., 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.

· Fitness demonstrations: 10:45, 11:15 and 11:45 a.m. and 12:15, 1:45 and 2:30 p.m.

· Fitness through dance demonstrations: 10:45 and 11:30 a.m. and 12:15, 1:15, 2 and 2:45 p.m.

· Stress presentations: 10:30, 11 and 11:30 a.m. and noon, 12:30, 1, 1:30 and 2 p.m.

· Univision stage: Spanish-language presentations will be held throughout the day

For more information, please visit www.sistertosister.org or call 888-718-8033.

Source: Sister to Sister