The Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart and Vascular Care is leading an expansive effort to reduce heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States, regardless of race, ethnicity or gender, through a robust calendar of events in recognition of February’s Heart Month. A range of events hosted throughout the month will educate 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. Prevention is everyone’s best friend when it comes to this fight,” 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 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 more than $108 billion annually.

Major risk factors for heart disease – high blood pressure and cholesterol, diabetes, obesity and smoking – can be controlled or managed. It is important for everyone to see a doctor for regular checkups and to discuss how to reduce the risk of heart disease and improve overall health.

“About 600,000 Americans die of heart disease each year – that’s one in every four deaths,” said Robert Michler, M.D., professor and chairman, Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at Montefiore, and co-director of The Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart and Vascular Care. “Montefiore is a leader in providing innovative therapies and clinical best practices for adult and pediatric heart disease patients. 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 offers a wide variety of events including, heart healthy screenings, healthy eating demonstrations, and educational talks. Patients, the community and Montefiore associates are invited to participate in all Heart Month events. Following is a sampling of events and a full schedule is available at www.montefiore.org/heartmonth. 

• How Old Is Your Heart? with Dr. Robert Michler (Feb. 4) – This special lecture, taking place at the 92^nd Street Y, invites community members to take an interactive heart health quiz. Dr. Michler will explore risk factors and what can be done to lower them. Event information is available at www.92Y.org/toyourhealth.
   
• Heart Month Kick Off and Montefiore Mile (Feb. 5) – Montefiore leadership will officially kick off Heart Month at the Moses Campus with a special ceremony followed by a group walk of the “Montefiore Mile,” a specially designated route within the hospital that serves as a one-mile track for exercise.
   
• Eleventh Annual National Wear Red Day (Feb. 7) – Montefiore and the American Heart Association (AHA) ask everyone to wear red and call attention to the fact that heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States. Montefiore associates will gather at 10 am in the lobby of The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) decked out in red for a group photo to show our commitment to heart health.
   
• Healthy Eating Food Demonstration – Interactive demos will take place at Montefiore locations in the Bronx and Westchester throughout the month. Montefiore dieticians will teach healthy eating options and creative ways to make healthy fun. Check the calendar for specific opportunities.
   
• Heart Month Fashion Show (Feb. 27) – This first-time event will feature Montefiore associates and aims to drive awareness and education throughout the health system about heart health. The celebratory evening will include several raffles and other surprise activities.
   
• Events at Montefiore Westchester Square, Montefiore New Rochelle and Montefiore Mount Vernon – Montefiore will host events, including blood pressure screenings, at its newest members of the Health System. Check the calendar to find out when and where. 

 For Heart Month 2014, 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 also will be available on Montefiore’s Facebook and YouTube pages.