The following is a press release from Doctors Hospital on Heart Month

NASSAU, Bahamas - February is celebrated internationally as Heart Month, and you can take a stand against the Bahamas’ number one killer! Each year during Heart Month, we hear talk of heart disease, but are we truly listening.

According to the National Vital Statistics Reports created by the United States Center for Disease Control, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, England, and Canada, killing one person every 34 seconds in the United States alone.

Heart disease and stroke kills more women each year than cancer, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and malaria combined. Worldwide, an average of 16 women per minute dies of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke.

Additionally, heart disease is the number one killer in the Bahamas.  Contrary to popular belief, heart disease is not just a ‘man’s disease’- both men and women have heart attacks, but more women who have heart attacks die from them.

With the observance of Heart Month, the Hospital continues its support to reducing heart disease in the Bahamas with a check presentation to the Sir Victor Sassoon Heart Foundation. Doctors Hospital and the Foundation’s education arm the Bahamas Heart Association have worked together to educate the Bahamian community about the risks associated with cardiovascular diseases including heart disease and stroke. 

Funds raised over the past years have enabled the Foundation to assist many children with heart disease.  Heart disease does not discriminate between race and gender; it is the number one killer of all ethnic groups.

As stated by Charles Sealy, CEO, Doctors Hospital “It is our pleasure to support the Sir Victor Sassoon Heart Foundation as they continue to make such a lasting difference in the country through education and treatment initiatives for the children suffering from heart ailments.  We encourage Bahamians to support the various events (whether by participation or donations), planned during Heart Month.”

It is important to know the warning signs of a heart attack which include: uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest lasting more than a few minutes, pain spreading to the shoulders, arm or neck, chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath.

There are risk factors that you can change to help prevent heart disease: reducing your blood pressure can decrease the chance of a heart attack by 20-30%, reducing high blood cholesterol, quitting smoking, losing weight, reducing stress and controlling your blood glucose levels can all prevent heart disease.

You can show your support by purchasing a three dollar ($3) ‘Go Red’ pin and wearing red on ‘National Go Red for Women’ day on Friday, February 19th, 2010 and by attending the planned month’s events.  Your help will support ongoing research and education about women and heart disease.

The following events have also been planned to highlight Heart Month:

• Saturday, February 13, 2010 - 45th Annual Lady Sassoon Heart Ball, Sheraton Cable Beach resort
• Thursday, February 18, 2010 - Free Public Health Lecture on Heart Health – Doctors Hospital Distinguished Lecture Series, Doctors Hospital Conference Room 6:00pm
• Friday, February 19, 2010 - Go Red for Women Day. Wear your pins, show your support.
• Thursday, February 25, 2010 - Health Fair with free screenings at the Town Centre Mall
• Saturday, February 27, 2010 - Fun Run Walk, Arawak Cay
• Sunday, February 28, 2010 - Splash of Red Zonta Luncheon & Fashion Show, Sheraton Cable Beach resort

For the fashionistas and ball enthusiasts, the Heart Ball, the major fund-raising event for the Sir Victor Sassoon (Bahamas) Heart Foundation, will be the most anticipated of the month’s activities and will definitely be the highlight of Heart Month.  The ball is also the major fundraiser for the Foundation. 

The proceeds from the ball and the ‘Go Red’ pins are used to underwrite heart surgery for Bahamian children whose families cannot afford to pay for their medical expenses. Scheduled to be held at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort, Cable Beach, on Saturday, February 13, 2010, the Heart Ball will feature live entertainment, a grand raffle prize as well as other fabulous prizes.

Cocktails are at 7:15pm and dinner is at 8:30pm. Tickets are priced at $250.00 per person. For more information, to volunteer your services, or to make a donation, please telephone (242) 327-0806.

Photo L-R: Charles Sealy, CEO, Doctors Hospital; Nellie Brown, President, Bahamas Heart Association; Michele Rassin, VP Operations, Doctors Hospital.