Women can receive free screenings to see whether they are at risk for heart disease at the National Woman’s Heart Day Health Fair, being held at Verizon Center today.
The tests given at the fair will measure individuals’ cholesterol levels, blood pressure, blood glucose levels and body mass index. Screeners also will give advice to attendees on how to maintain a healthier lifestyle.
The heath fair is held every year on the third Friday in February, and it will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 16. At the event, experts will be on hand to give cooking and fitness demonstrations, and give talks on topics such as nutrition, obesity, quitting smoking and managing stress.
Last year, 40 percent of the women who were screened at the fair showed at least two of the risk factors leading to heart disease. The condition is the leading killer of American women, though less than half of women are aware of this, and heart disease is preventable in up to 82 percent of cases.
The event is sponsored by pharmaceutical companies Sanofi Aventis and Abbott, as well as a number of media and government partners and local businesses.
