Free cardiac program addresses a woman's heart

DANBURY -- One in five women develop heart disease. That is why a program aimed at treating a woman's heart is being offered March 13 with registration at 7:45 a.m. at Danbury Hospital in the John C. Creasy Center for Health Education auditorium.

Those attending may use the main entrance of the hospital and park free in the Blue lot. This free program will include a continental breakfast and take place from 8:15 to noon. Screenings will include blood pressure, body mass index, total cholesterol, HDL and glucose.

It's an opportunity for women "to be together in one place and get information they need for cardiac health. They will find out information, about exercise, for instance, and how exercising three times a week can keep them healthy, that it doesn't have to be so hard," said Diane Burke, a spokeswoman for Danbury Hospital.

"Knowing your numbers," means understanding your risk for heart disease, she explained, referring to the free screenings being offered that day.

The format, led by Dr. Susan Mani will be a series of 40-minute breakout sessions that will address a range of topics and activities.

These will include interactive demonstrations on exercise and nutrition, group question and answer sessions, and a lecture by Dr. Mani who is the director of the Women's Cardiac Program at the Praxair Regional Heart and Vascular Center at Danbury Hospital.

Space is limited to 100 people. To register, call 866-374-0007.