By the Norwood News

Vital Stats:  About 600,000 Americans die of heart disease each year – that’s one in every four deaths.  (Source: Montefiore Medical Center)

February is National Heart Month, and Montefiore Medical Center has been spreading awareness through several events, on the dangers of neglecting the heart.  The Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart and Vascular Care is now leading an effort to reduce heart disease, the leading cause of death in the country. The hospital’s goal is aimed at educating patients, the community and Montefiore associates about heart disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment. 

“Most people don’t realize that heart disease kills more people each year than all forms of cancer and HIV combined,” said Mario Garcia, M.D., chief, Division of Cardiology at Montefiore, and co-director of The Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart and Vascular Care. “Being heart healthy – eating right, exercising regularly and working with your doctor on a plan that’s right for you – can improve one’s quality of life and longevity.”

Heart disease can stem from a variety of conditions including abnormal heart rhythms, heart failure and coronary heart disease, which can lead to a heart attack. Coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease, killing more than 385,000 people each year and carrying a cost of over $108 billion annually.  Major risk factors for heart disease – high blood pressure and cholesterol, diabetes, obesity and smoking – can be controlled or managed. Regular checkups are encouraged.

“Montefiore is a leader in providing innovative therapies and clinical best practices for adult and pediatric heart disease patients,” said Dr. Robert Michler, professor and chairman, Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at Montefiore, and co-director of The Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart and Vascular Care.  “We are passionate about Heart Month and helping people learn how important it is to lower their risk of heart disease.”

Montefiore’s Heart Month program offered a wide variety of events including heart healthy screenings, healthy eating demonstrations, and educational talks. Other events include:

 

• Healthy Eating Food Demonstration (Feb. 21) – Montefiore dieticians will teach healthy eating options and creative ways to make staying healthy fun. The session takes place at the Montefiore Medical Group West Farms Family Practice, 1045 E. Tremont Ave., from 1 to 1:45 p.m.

 

• Heart Month Fashion Show (Feb. 27) – This first-ever event will feature awareness and education throughout the health system about heart health. The celebratory evening takes place at the Moses Campus, 111 E. 210th St. from 6 to 8 p.m. and includes several raffles and other surprise activities.   

For Heart Month, Montefiore has developed the hashtag #MonteHeart to help spread educational messages through social media. Follow @MontefioreNYC for information about educational Twitter chats, Montefiore events and general heart health facts and tips. Additional information will be available on Montefiore’s Facebook and YouTube pages.

Source: Montefiore Medical Center