Mat-Su Regional to host annual Go Red for Heart Health Feb. 9

PALMER — Red Dresses line the lobby of Mat-Su Regional Medical Center as the hospital gears up for its annual Go Red for Heart Health event, which focuses attention on healthy lifestyles and increasing awareness of heart disease. The event is in support of American Heart Month, which began Feb. 1.

This year’s Go Red for Heart Health will be Friday, Feb. 9, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the main lobby of Mat-Su Regional Medical Center at 2500 Woodworth Loop, in Palmer.

The forum always draws a huge crowd, not only for its pageantry, but also for the educational presentations the hospital sponsors.

This year’s featured speaker will be Barb Doty, MD, Family Medicine, from Solstice Family Care. She will be presenting “Signs and Symptoms of a Heart Attack.”

The hospital will also have a Go Red group photo at 5 p.m. Everyone wearing a red outfit is welcome to join the group photo, which will be displayed in the hospital.

In addition to the presentation and group photo, Mat-Su Regional is providing tours of the Cardiac Cath Lab from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. There will be limited seating for the tours, so registration is encouraged.

Until a few years ago most people were unaware that heart disease is the leading cause of death in America, according to the American Heart Association. The majority of people surveyed responded that cancer was the leading cause of death. Cardiovascular disease claims more lives each year than the next four leading causes of death combined – cancer, chronic lower respiratory diseases, accidents and diabetes mellitus.

In addition to the presentation, and cath lab tours, the hospital will be teaching hands-only CPR, in partnership with the American Heart Association and the Mat-Su Borough EMS. The hospital will also have an assortment of heart-healthy appetizers, to demonstrate that healthy food can also be delicious. The event is free and open to the public. Both women and men are encouraged to attend and wear red in support of heart disease awareness.

For more information, contact Deena Straub at 861-6807.