Wednesday, February 25, 2004

Heart fair set for tomorrow

In honor of Healthy Heart Month, Southern Regional Health System is conducting its annual Heart and Vascular Care Health Fair tomorrow from in the hospital’s Women’s Life Center atrium. The free Lunch and Learn session begins with lunch at noon and the fair starts at 1 p.m.

“Heart disease is still America’s number one killer, claiming more lives than the rest of major causes of death,” said Jennifer Griffin, R.N., clinical coordinatorin the Cardiology Department. “So it’s really important for people, particularly women, to eduucate themselves about heart disease and about the kinds of habits and conditions that can raise your risk. Cardiovascular disease kills more women than men each year, and is actually more of a threat than breast cancer.”

In fact, according to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease claims more lives than all cancers combined.

Griffin will serve as keynote speaker during the sesson. Her topic will be “Learn the Risk Factors and Warning Signs of Cardiovascular Disease.”

The Heart and Vascular Care Health Fair will offer diabetes screenings, EKG screenings, blood pressure screenings, cholesterol screenings, body mass index (BMI) readings and healthy cooking demonstrations.

The event is at Southern Regional Health System, 11 Upper Riverdale Road in Riverdale.

To register for the Lunch and Learn, call PROMINA HealthCall at 770-541-1111. The Heart and Vascular Fair does not require registration.