According to the Centers for Diease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. According to CDC, approximately 610,000 people in the U.S. die of heart disease each year – that is one in every four deaths. Heart disease affects both men and women, with no regard for race or ethnicity, although the disease is more prevalent among African-Americans. Deaths related to heart disease are particularly high in Georgia and the Southeast. The American Heart Association estimates that heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases cost the U.S. almost $307 billion each year through healthcare services, medications and lost productivity.
 
While statistics on the deadliness of this disease are staggering, there are steps individuals may take to improve the health of their heart. Navicent Health is dedicated to battling heart disease by giving central Georgians the tools they need to live heart healthy lives. Celebrate Heart Fest 2016 with Navicent Health during February, American Heart Month. Make your plans to attend the following events:
 
·         Saturday, February 6
-   Save Your Heart Health Fair
-  7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
-  Central Georgia Technical College Building H, 3300 Macon Tech Drive, Macon
-  Free screenings include full blood lipid screening, blood pressure, body mass index, glucose, vision and more.
-  Attendees may register for these free screenings at www.navicenthealth.org  or by calling 478-633-6336.
-  Angioscreen, a painless, non-invasive screening to determine the risk of heart disease and stroke, will be offered for $50. Please call 1-800-627-2393 to reserve your place for this special screening. (This screening is offered at no charge for U.S. military veterans)
-  Cooking demonstration with healthy brunch options at 9:30 a.m.
 
·         Tuesday, February 9
-   Atrial Fibrillation Seminar
-  6:00 p.m.
-  Wellness Center, Navicent Health, 3797 Northside Drive, Macon
-  This educational seminar will feature Daniel Haithcock, MD of Georgia Arrhythmia Consultants
-  Please RSVP to 478-633-7157.
 
·         Monday, February 15
-   Heart Failure Seminar
-  6:00 p.m.
-  Carlyle Place, Navicent Health, 5300 Zebulon Road, Macon
-  Dr. Thomas Meyer will discuss emerging technologies for the treatment and management of heart failure during this educational seminar.
-  Please RSVP to 478-633-7157.
 
·         Monday, February 22
-   Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) Support Group Meeting
-  5:30 p.m. with program at 6:00 p.m.
-  Luce Heart Institute at The Medical Center, Navicent Health (777 Hemlock St., Macon)
-  Following the support group meeting, certified laughter yoga instructor Sandra Stone will present “Laughing for Any Good Reason.”
-  Please RSVP to 478-633-7157.
 
·         Friday, February 26
-   “Eat Your Heart Out” Heart Healthy Cooking Demonstration
-  12:00 p.m.
-  Wellness Center, Navicent Health, 3797 Northside Dr. in Macon.
-  Free recipes, taste testing and door prizes
-  Please RSVP to [email protected] or 478-633-4733.
 
·         Angioscreen Opportunities

-   Angioscreen, a painless, non-invasive screening to determine a person’s risk of heart disease and stroke, will be offered on the following dates:
-  Thursday, February 4
-   8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
-   Luce Heart Institute at The Medical Center, Navicent Health (777 Hemlock St., Macon)
-  Tuesday, February 9
-   8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
-   Putnam General Hospital, Navicent Health Partner (101 Greensboro Rd., Eatonton)
-  Thursday, February 11
-   8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
-   Taylor Regional Hospital (790 US 341, Hawkinsville)
-  Tuesday, February 16
-   8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
-   Luce Heart Institute at The Medical Center, Navicent Health (777 Hemlock St., Macon)
-  Thursday, February 18
-   8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
-   Oconee Regional Medical Center (821 N. Cobb St., Milledgeville)
-  Thursday, February 25
-   11:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
-   Wellness Center, Navicent Health, 3797 Northside Dr. in Macon
-  Please call 1-800-627-2393 to register. There is a $50.00 registration fee. However, this screening is free for U.S. military veterans.