by Playfuls Staff |
1st February 2006
Heart disease is women's No. 1 health threat, killing more women than the next six causes of death combined. Yet only 13 percent of women consider heart disease to be their greatest personal health risk. That's why it's critical that women get screened to learn their heart disease risk factors and [more] take steps to reduce them.
Women can obtain free heart health screenings with on-the-spot results and advice on adopting heart-healthy lifestyles at the National Woman's Heart Day Health Fair on Friday, February 17, 2006.
Women can learn their cholesterol, blood pressure and blood glucose levels and body mass index from the 15-minute heart health screenings. Results are provided on-site and include an overall risk assessment and counseling. Women also can participate in fitness exhibitions, including playing table tennis with Killerspin-sponsored international champions. There will also be healthy cooking demonstrations; hear from nationally known experts on diabetes, nutrition, obesity, fitness, smoking cessation and stress management; and even get a free massage. Prizes and giveaways are offered as well.
The heart health fairs occur annually across the nation on the third Friday in February, officially declared as National Woman's Heart Day by the federal government. This year, the Sister to Sister: Everyone Has a Heart Foundation is sponsoring heart-health screening fairs in 14 major U.S. cities.
In 2005, half of the more than 8,000 women that Sister to Sister screened were found to have two or more risk factors for heart disease. A significant number of them were unaware of their risk before the screening.
