Calculate Your Heart Health Score
February is American Heart Disease Awareness Month, and is benefiting from the advice of the local chapter of the American Heart Association.
They are encouraging residents to prevent heart disease before it starts.
Dr. David Strasser is a cardiologist
with UPMC Hamot and is also president of
He says heart disease is the number
one killer of both men and women in the
He talked to us about an interactive feature on the American Heart Association's website. He's encouraging people to use the tool so you can stay on track with your heart health.
The program is called My Life Check.
You can log on and take a simple five minute assessment.
After you take the assessment, the computer will generate your heart health score.
It will tell you your risks and what you need to modify to help avoid heart disease.
It will also suggest ways to incorporate healthy living.
You can take the My Life Check assessment by using the link below:
http://www.heart.org/mylifecheck
In addition, the American Heart Association hosts multiple events throughout the year.
The 14th Annual Heart Gala is Saturday, February 23rd. This event is sold out, but you can still donate.
Proceeds from the event go to families of heart disease patients who need assistance. Funds also benefit cardiovascular research.
There is a special section set up where people can donate to a research fund for babies born with congenital heart disease, which is the number one birth defect in babies. Dr. Strasser says much more research is needed for these young patients.
