(2/07/11) – On Friday, February 4, McLeod Health offered heart screenings and a healthy heart luncheon in support of the National Go Red for Women Day — an awareness day to get the word out about women, heart disease and the fight against it.

Dr. Lynne Maroney with McLeod Senior Health Associates was the guest speaker for the Healthy Red Heart Luncheon. She presented information on "Women and Heart Disease" to a group of 130 women most of whom were all dressed in red.

The Heart Healthy Risk Factor Screenings included free and low cost screenings, such as: blood pressure, stroke, peripheral vascular disease (PVD), blood sugar, cholesterol, and body mass index. Approximately 250 people participated in the screenings on Friday in the McLeod Medical Plaza.

Go Red for Women day is held the first Friday in February each year. McLeod has been offering a heart healthy luncheon and heart risk factor screenings in conjunction with Go Red for Women day since 2008.

Taking care of your heart is essential to leading an active and healthier life. Healthy eating, exercise, knowing heart disease risk factors and relieving tension are all associated with improving your heart. The McLeod Healthy Red Heart Luncheon and Heart Healthy Risk Factor Screenings offer area women an opportunity to learn ways to take care of and improve their heart health.

Every 36 seconds, someone dies from cardiovascular disease. Every 45 seconds someone suffers a stroke. In South Carolina, more than one in four residents suffers from some form of cardiovascular disease.

"Two risk factors that pose a large threat in this region are the use of nicotine, which would include smoking and chewing tobacco, and diabetes," said Daphne Heffler, Associate Vice President of Patient Care Cardiac Services.

"No one is immune to heart disease. It affects all races, ages and genders. Everyone should be aware of the risk factors for heart disease and be tested. The annual McLeod Go Red events provide the community the opportunity to take advantage of valuable health screenings to test their risk level of heart disease," added Heffler.