Go Red For Women

Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States.

According to the American Heart Association, in the United States, one in three women die per year from heart disease. This figure also holds true in the Triad.

In response, Novant Health is sponsoring a heart screening today in Greensboro at Macy's to help women know their risk of heart disease and stroke. The goal is to screen 1,000 women by May 2014. Joanne Allen is president of Novant Health Kernersville Medical Center. She is also the chairwoman of Guilford County's Go Red for Women campaign. She says the screening will take about 15 minutes. “The worst of it is blood being drawn and we'll do a stick of the finger," says Allen. "The screening will include BMI, weight, blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol levels. Also, a certified nurse will talk with them about what those numbers mean to them so they understand their risk.”

According to Allen, life changes including eating healthy, exercise and dropping a few pounds will reduce the risk of heart and cardiac disease. January 18, Saturday, Novant Health will host a heart screening at Macy's on Wendover at 5410 Hornaday Road. The screening runs from Noon until 4 p.m. and is open to everyone.