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Why do women need to know about heart disease?

When it comes to women and heart disease, the numbers speak for themselves:

  • The Number One killer of women, heart disease afflicts more women than men.
  • One out of every three female adults has some form of cardiovascular disease: coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke.
  • In 2003, cardiovascular disease claimed the lives of 483,842 women. It affects nearly forty percent of black women and Caucasian women, as well as more than 32 percent of Latinas.
  • Many cases of cardiovascular disease are PREVENTABLE with heart healthy behavior, and appropriate medical care, when needed!

Information supplied on this page is taken from www.sistertosister.org
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The Sister to Sister Heart Health Fairs are community-based events where women can obtain heart health screenings, advice on reducing their personal risks for heart disease, and guidance on adopting heart healthy lifestyles. Heart screenings measure a woman's total and HDL cholesterol, blood pressure, blood glucose, body mass index, and provide an overall risk assessment. Results are given on-site and include medical counseling. Health fair participants also attend fitness, beauty and cooking demonstrations and receive giveaways. Seminars are given by nationally known experts on nutrition, obesity, fitness, quitting smoking, and stress management, all keys to heart disease prevention.

The Health Fairs are open to women of all ages, races, and backgrounds. In just 10 minutes, attendees learn about their own particular risks for heart disease, including:

  • Cholesterol
  • Triglycerides
  • Blood Pressure
  • Glucose
  • Body Mass Index (BMI)
  • Height
  • Weight
  • Waist Circumference

Following the screenings, knowledgeable health professionals take the time to make sure that each woman screened understands her numbers and has identified strategies for reducing her risks.

While getting screened, or after speaking with our counselors, attendees enjoy interactive presentations by local fitness and nutrition experts, as well as informative discussions about stress management, relationship building, and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

The good news is, you can prevent or reduce your risk of heart disease by following a heart healthy lifestyle that includes a good diet, exercise, and medical support, when necessary!

Former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Tommy Thompson, declared the third Friday of each February "Sister to Sister: National Woman's Heart Day."

On February 23, 2008 National Woman's Heart Day Health Fairs were held in Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, St. Louis and Washington, D.C.

National Woman's Heart Day Health Fairs are sponsored by Sister-to-Sister: Everyone Has a Heart Foundation, Inc.