Cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is the leading cause of death in the state, accounted for 34 percent of deaths in Georgia in 2005. Georgia's CVD rate was 13 percent higher than the national rate according to Georgia's Department of Human Resources (2004). February is Heart Health Month, and to educate the community on the risks of heart disease, Piedmont Fayette Hospital is hosting a free Healthy Heart Fair on Saturday, Feb. 2, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the hospital's west entrance.

“Piedmont Fayette Hospital is urging the community to get the facts on one of Georgia's leading killers – heart disease," said Darrell Cutts, president and CEO at Piedmont Fayette Hospital. “The Healthy Heart Fair is the ideal time for residents to receive free health screenings and learn how to lower their risk of the chronic disease.”

The Healthy Heart Fair will offer a variety of health screenings, including blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, ABI, body mass index and EKG. Free educational materials covering all aspects of a healthy heart also will be provided.

Hospital staff from all areas including the Fitness Center will be on hand to educate attendees on disease prevention, rehabilitation of injuries and maintenance of optimal health and fitness wellness.

“Physicians will also be available to answer heart health questions,” said George Leslie, director of cardiopulmonary services at Piedmont Fayette Hospital. “The ultimate goal is to alert residents about the importance of getting regular physical activity, eating healthy, quitting smoking and undergoing routine check-ups to lower their risk of heart disease and other chronic diseases.”

Throughout the year, Piedmont Fayette Hospital also offers smoking cessation classes to help smokers quit their addiction. Led by a Piedmont Fayette Hospital respiratory staff member, who is an American Lung Association trained facilitator, the class promises to be both informative and enlightening. Smoking cessation classes will be held throughout the year. For more information on the class, call 770-719-6258.

Piedmont Fayette Hospital offers a range of advanced, comprehensive diagnostic and rehabilitative cardiology services, including echocardiograms, electrocardiograms (EKG), holter and event monitoring, cardiac monitoring, stress-testing and cardiac rehabilitation. The cardiology care team includes physicians, nurses, cath lab technologists, therapists, nutritionists and other healthcare professionals and offers innovative heart care – in and out of the hospital.

For a physician referral, call 1-866-900-4321, or for more information about Piedmont Fayette Hospital’s cardiology services, please visit www.fayettehospital.org.

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