Celebrate Heart Month with FirstHealth of the Carolinas

PINEHURST - FirstHealth of the Carolinas will focus on helping the community learn more about heart disease by hosting several awareness events throughout February.

To kick off the month as American Heart Month, FirstHealth invites you to participate in National Wear Red Day® on Friday, Feb. 1. Americans nationwide will wear red to show their support for heart health. Wear your favorite red dress, red shirt or red tie to raise awareness that heart disease is preventable.

How much do you actually know about your heart? Here are a few facts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women.
• Someone in the United States has a heart attack every 34 seconds.
• Between 70 and 89 percent of sudden cardiac events occur in men.
• One in four women in the United States dies of heart disease, while one in 30 dies of breast cancer.

While you may think heart disease has nothing to do with you, or that it probably will not affect you, you or someone you know may have conditions or habits that can lead to heart disease. Even if you do not have symptoms, you may be at risk for heart disease. Being overweight, smoking, poor diet and lack of physical activity are all risk factors that contribute to heart disease.

Learning more about the disease and your health are actions you can take immediately to help yourself, as well as others.  

Other scheduled events at FirstHealth include the following:

Know Your Numbers
Friday, February 1
Free Blood Pressure Screenings in Your Community
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease.
Do you know your numbers? Join us to discover your numbers.

Montgomery County
9-11 a.m.
Food King, Troy

11 a.m.-1 p.m.
C and R Drug Store, Mt. Gilead

11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Subway at Montgomery Crossing, Biscoe

Moore County
9-11 a.m.
Piggly Wiggly, Vass

11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Walmart Express, Carthage

11:30 a.m.-1:30 a.m.
Subway at Town and Country Shopping Center, Aberdeen

Richmond County
Noon-2 p.m.
Subway in the Whistle Stop Shopping Center, Hamlet

2 -4 p.m.
Food King, Ellerbe

Nutrition Basics for Better Health
Thursday, Feb. 7, 12:15-1 p.m., Center for Health & Fitness-Pinehurst
Join Ashley Carpenter, R.D., LDN, in a free nutrition class to help you learn strategies for improving health, feeling better and achieving or maintaining a healthy weight and a healthy heart. Registration required by Feb. 6. For more information, call (910) 715-1800.
FREE

All about Chocolate!
Thursday, Feb. 7, 5:15-6:15 p.m., Center for Health & Fitness-Pinehurst
Everything you wanted to know about chocolate! Whether you're a casual diner or a seasoned connoisseur, come learn the health benefits of chocolate and tips for enjoying it in moderation. A variety of samples will be available for your enjoyment. Register by Feb. 5 and payment is due upon registration. Call (910) 715-1800 for more information.
$5

Nutrition Basics for Better Health
Thursday, Feb. 7, 12:15-1 p.m., Center for Health & Fitness-Pinehurst
Join Ashley Carpenter, R.D., LDN, in a free nutrition class to help you learn strategies for improving health, feeling better and achieving or maintaining a healthy weight and a healthy heart. Please register one day prior to class. For more information, call (910) 715-1800.
FREE

Mobile Health Screening
Cholesterol, Diabetes and Blood Pressure Screening
Thursday, Feb. 14, 8 a.m.-noon, Rockingham Housing Authority, 809 Armstead St., Rockingham. Simple finger stick. $5 for all three screenings. Fasting for 8 to 12 hours is recommended.

A Heart to Heart with Local Cardiologists
Monday, Feb. 18, 6-7:30 p.m., FirstHealth Richmond Memorial Hospital Cafeteria
A panel discussion with Dr. David J. Shin and Dr. ‘Jide G. Lawal. Come prepared with your questions. Refreshments provided.
Register by call (910) 417-3701.
FREE

Heart Healthy Cooking
Thursday, Feb. 21, 12:15-1 p.m., Center for Health & Fitness-Pinehurst
Preparing meals at home is a great way to slash calories, sodium and saturated fats from your diet, which can improve your heart health. Come learn tips for creating heart-healthy meals in your own kitchen.
Register by calling (910) 715-1800 by Feb. 20.
FREE

Blood Drive
American Red Cross Blood Drive
10 a.m.-3 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 27, Conference Center, FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital. Call (910) 715-1478 for information or appointments.

For more information on any of the FirstHealth heart healthy events, please call (800) 213-3284.