"Ladies, take care of your hearts - you don't get to grow another one," warned Diane Jackson of Freeport at Winthrop's first annual Women's Heart Health Symposium As part of its ongoing commitment to educate women about the prevention of heart disease, Winthrop-University Hospital's Institute for Heart Care held its first annual Women's Heart Health Symposium, "A Woman's Art is in Her Heart" on February 1st. The fun-filled and informative evening was held in conjunction with the American Heart Association's "Go Red for Women" nationwide campaign. The event was designed to empower women with the knowledge and tools they need to reduce their risk for heart disease.

"Our goal was to educate women about their heart health in a relaxed atmosphere conducive to learning and self-improvement," said Patricia McCauley, MSN, RN, Director of Cardiology Nursing at Winthrop. "The lecture hall was transformed with scents of aromatherapy and musicians singing in the background," she continued. "Feedback from participants has been extremely positive."

George Gubernikoff, MD, Director of Clinical Cardiac Services and Medical Director of the Center for Aortic Disease at Winthrop-University Hospital explained how women can "connect" with their hearts at Winthrop's first annual Women's Heart Health Symposium. Attendees also were treated to creative and interesting presentations by two of Winthrop's experts in cardiology, as well as an inspirational lecture by a woman who has faced life-threatening heart disease.

"Ladies, take care of your hearts - you don't get to grow another one," warned Diane Jackson, who had two stents implanted to open the arteries to her heart in August 2005, a quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery in October 2005, and two more stents in November 2005. Although she had a high family risk for the disease, Mrs. Jackson admittedly didn't think it would happen to her. "The red flag never went up," she stated, a common occurrence among women. Mrs. Jackson went into cardiac arrest immediately after her open heart surgery, and is grateful that doctors were able to save her life. "Thanks to Winthrop, since my surgery I have celebrated my 50th birthday, my 30th wedding anniversary and I've been able to go with my grandchild to Disney World."

Kevin Marzo, MD, Chief of the Division of Cardiology at Winthrop-University Hospital, presented a lively demonstration of heart-healthy cooking at Winthrop's first annual Women's Heart Health Symposium. George Gubernikoff, MD, Director of Clinical Cardiac Services and Medical Director of the Center for Aortic Disease at Winthrop, emphasized the importance of recognizing personal risk factors and taking steps to reduce them. Through his presentation of paintings by Manet Cezanne and Matisse, Dr. Gubernikoff poignantly created awareness of the importance of maintaining a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

Kevin Marzo, MD, Chief of the Division of Cardiology at Winthrop, presented a lively talk on nutrition, followed by a cooking demonstration of the heart-healthy meal of tilapia, rice, corn and salad he prepared for the audience. His demonstration proved to the audience that heart-healthy meals can be quick and easy to prepare.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality for women in the United States. To maintain heart health, both physicians emphasized the importance of modifying personal risk factors and offered the following practical tips:

* Do not neglect chest pain, chest pressure, shortness of breath or a decrease in exercise tolerance.

* Eat a diet similar to the Mediterranean diet, which includes whole grains, fruits and vegetables, with fish and poultry a few times a week, and red meat a few times a month in small amounts; use healthy oils such as olive, canola and flaxseed.

* Limited intake of saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium; avoid trans fat

* Don't smoke and avoid second-hand smoke

* Get regular exercise, 30 minutes a day, 5 times a week (walking is great)

* Maintain a healthy balance between work and relaxation; learn stress reduction techniques.

* See your doctor for regular check-ups and when necessary, take medication as prescribed.

* Know your numbers:

o Healthy blood pressure is less than 120/80

o Total cholesterol should be less than 200 with HDL ("healthy" or "good") cholesterol at 50 mg or higher.

Winthrop's Institute for Heart Care is committed to the prevention as well as the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Clinicians address modifiable risk factors to help patients stay well, as well as offer the most advanced levels of diagnostic technology, medical management, interventional cardiology, and cardiac surgery. For a referral to a Winthrop cardiologist, call 1-866-WINTHROP.