“Heart disease kills more women than men each year, yet it is still mistakenly thought of as a “man’s disease.”  The facts regarding heart disease and women are cardiovascular disease kills about 460,00 women in a year, one in 2.5 women die from cardiovascular disease, 64% of women die from cardiovascular disease, and cardiovascular disease is largely preventable.

The Union County Cooperative Extension Service teamed up with United Community Bank and Methodist Hospital to increase women’s awareness and knowledge of their risk for heart disease through a “Heart Health Lunch and Learn program.

Sixty-five participants attended the luncheon at the Union County Cooperative Extension Service Office. Speaker Shannon Long, BSN, RN, CHS, Wellness Coordinator, Henderson Methodist Hospital spoke on taking care of your heart. Lunch was sponsored by United Community Bank at no charge to participants. Union County Methodist Hospital held blood pressure screenings.

A voluntary exit survey was completed by 50 of the 65 participants. The surveys indicated that because of the information they received from the program over 100% were willing and motivated to take better care of their heart. 100% of the participants rated the luncheon as an overall success.