Three in four Georgians have at least two modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease, while one in ten has five or more modifiable risk factors. To educate the community on the risks of heart disease, Piedmont Fayette Hospital will host a free Healthy Heart Fair Saturday, Feb. 25, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Building 1279 at 1279 Highway 54 West, just west of the main hospital.

The Healthy Heart Fair will offer several screenings, including blood pressure, heart rate, cholesterol, glucose and Body Mass Index. In addition, there will be an educational forum at 10 a.m. on the signs and symptoms of myocardial infarction, and another seminar at 1 p.m. highlighting information on cardiac catheterization.

Heart disease is one of Georgia's leading killers, claiming the lives of more than 23,295 residents in 2003 and accounting for 35 percent of all deaths that year. In 2003, the CVD death rate in Georgia was 12 percent higher than the national rate causing more than 142,000 hospitalizations and $3.3 billion in hospital charges. It also is the No. 1 killer of women in the state.

“It is important for individuals to learn the signs of cardiovascular disease and to know how to lower their risk,” said Darrell Cutts, CEO of Piedmont Fayette Hospital. “The Healthy Heart Fair is the perfect opportunity for the community to participate in free health screenings and get valuable heart health information.”

Risk factors for heart disease are often acquired before becoming an adult, but it is never too late to reduce your risk. Piedmont Fayette Hospital wants to alert the community of the importance of getting regular physical activity, eating healthy, quitting smoking and undergoing routine checkups.

The heart health fair is free, but there is a nominal $10 supply fee for cholesterol screenings, which require fasting after midnight the evening before the fair. Registration is recommended by calling Link2Health toll-free at 1-866-900-4321. For more information on Piedmont Fayette Hospital, visit www.fayettehospital.org or call 770-719-7000.

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