February is Heart Month More than 64 million Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease and it is the number one killer of all Americans – not just men. February is American Heart Month and the American Heart Association (AHA) is urging women to recognize heart disease as a prominent threat to their health. Buffalo Hospital and Allina Hospitals and Clinics are supporting cardiovascular health awareness on a number of fronts. Employees at Buffalo Hospital participated in the AHA’s National “Go Red for Women” campaign Friday, Feb. 6. The three-year campaign is focused on empowering women to take charge of their cardiovascular health. Employees of Buffalo Hospital and Allina will also participate in the 2004 AHA Heart Walk, slated for Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Mall of America. “The heart walk is a good way for employees to contribute to continuing research and building awareness of heart disease,” says Stacy Besonen, CEP, cardiac rehab specialist at Buffalo Hospital’s Cardiac Center and the hospital’s heart walk team captain. Healthy Hearts The hospital supports cardiovascular health awareness throughout the year by sponsoring Healthy Hearts, a free educational group that meets from 7-8:30 p.m. every third Monday of the month. The group is designed for individuals who have been diagnosed with heart disease or heart problems, and for their family members. The next Healthy Hearts meeting is Monday, Feb. 16. Register by calling (763) 682-7121. Heart Safe communities Buffalo Hospital Cardiac Center and Foundation have also teamed with Allina Hospitals and Clinics and the Community Health Foundation to launch Heart Safe Communities, an initiative to place Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) in public facilities. Heart Safe has established funds for each community in and around Wright County to place AEDs in key locations where people gather such as schools, senior centers, libraries and town halls. To learn more or contribute to the Heart Safe fund in your community, call (763) 682-8835. Buffalo Hospital is a non-profit regional medical center committed to improving the health of the communities it serves in and around Wright County. www.buffalohospital.org.
