Free annual event celebrates Women’s Heart Health Month
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – As the number one killer of women, heart disease claims more women’s lives than all forms of cancer combined. Many don’t notice the symptoms of heart disease until it’s too late, so it’s often called “the silent killer.” Every first Friday in February, women don their finest crimson or scarlet in observance of National Wear Red Day and women’s heart health.
As part of this year’s Women’s Heart Health month observance, the popular “Women, Love Your Heart” education and screening event will welcome participants to the WVU Heart Institute from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7. Free health screenings for women include: blood pressure, glucose/cholesterol (fasting is not required), EKG, carotid Doppler, body mass index, and American Heart Association risk assessment.
There will also be educational sessions addressing nutrition, oral health, and exercise, resource counseling, and personal pharmacy consultations. All attendees are asked to bring a list of their medications and supplements.
This year’s screening event was made possible through the collaboration of WVU Healthcare and the WVU National Center of Excellence in Women’s Health.
“Once again, the Center of Excellence in Women’s Health and the WVU Heart Institute will connect with women in our community by offering them free education and health screenings they might not receive in their regular care,” Betty Critch, WVU Center of Excellence executive director, said. “As caretakers, women’s own health needs are often neglected. ‛Women, Love Your Heart’ events celebrate the power we have as women to band together to wipe out heart disease and stroke.”
“Often considered a man’s disease, heart disease is killing our mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends,” Bradford Warden, M.D., director of the WVU Heart Institute, explained. “Knowledge is power, and the more women know about their heart health, the better prepared they are to consider their lifestyles and make small changes that could make a big impact.”
For more information about this year’s screening event, call the WVU Heart Institute at 304-598-4478. The WVU Heart Institute is located at 600 Suncrest Towne Centre in Morgantown.