WomenHeart Launches American Heart Monthwith National Outreach to Hispanic-American Women
70% of Hispanic-American women have at least one risk factor forleading cause of death*

February 1, 2013 (Washington, DC) – WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease celebrates American Heart Month today by announcing the launch of Para la Mujer Hispana – the first national heart health education initiative for Spanish speaking women. The program – made possible through a cause-marketing partnership with the national off-price retailer, Burlington Coat Factory – is designed to empower this high risk population to take charge of their heart health. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women, and according to a recently published study in theJournal of the American Medical Association, 34 percent of Hispanic American women have at one risk factor for heart disease, 24 percent have two risk factors, and 12 percent have three risk factors.

“Hispanic American women are at increased risk for heart disease, and WomenHeart aims to help them better understand their leading health risk and take action to live a heart healthy life,” said Lisa M. Tate, CEO, WomenHeart.

The program will be launched today with five free heart health events in select Burlington Coat Factory locations. Each event will feature free heart health education from WomenHeart (in Spanish and English), free blood pressure screenings, the opportunity to donate $1 or more at check-out to WomenHeart, and for a donation of $10 or more, receive the coveted Red Dress pin – the national symbol of the fight against heart disease in women. Store locations for these events are:

• Northline Commons 4426 North Freeway Houston, TX 77022
• Union Square 40 East 14th Street New York City, New York 10003
• 11211 183rd Street Cerritos, CA 90703
• Next to Riverside Mall 2208 S. Harlem Avenue North Riverside, IL 60546
• Airport Plaza 5737 NW 7th Street Miami, FL 33126

Para la Mujer Hispana includes new Spanish language pages on www.womenheart.org, the new Spanish Red Bag of Courage – a decorative tote full of heart health information for women that will be distributed at the store events on February 1 – as well as a toll free number 1.800.676.6002. WomenHeart also kicks off its second year partnership with Burlington today on their national Red Dress (SM) Event in all 500 Burlington locations nationwide. Customers have the opportunity to donate $1 or more at check-out from February 1 through March 30 to advance the life-saving work of WomenHeart and the availability of free education and support services for women living with heart disease. And Burlington will also donate $1, up to $25,000, for every dress sold during the event to benefit the organization.

“We are proud to continue our support of women’s heart health in the fight against heart disease,” said Thomas Kingsbury, president and chief executive officer. “Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women and our in-store promotions, dedicated red dress section, customer and corporate donations, along with in-store women’s heart health screening events will all help to contribute to educating and increasing awareness of what women can do to reduce their risk.”

Throughout American Heart Month, WomenHeart will continue to lead the country in women’s heart health awareness and education with these activities, many of which the public may participate in:

• Third annual State of Women’s Heart Health national conference call with DHHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, MD, and Million Hearts Executive Director Janet Wright, MD. February 5, 2013, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. ET. The call is co-sponsored by WomenHeart and the American Heart Association. Register here.
• From February 1-March 30, Burlington Coat Factory customers can support the life-saving work of WomenHeart by making a donation of $1 or more at check-out.
• Friday, February 1 is the 10th anniversary of National Wear Red Day. Throughout the country and on Capitol Hill people will rock the red for heart disease and WomenHeart
• Volunteers are hand-delivering the coveted Red Dress pin to every female member of Congress.
• BeeWell for Life’s online wellness program is expanding ways to support WomenHeart and promote heart health! Register for BeeWell For Life to learn how to live heart healthy and raise money for WomenHeart.
• Throughout February, WomenHeart Champions will empower individuals in the workplace through WomenHeart @Work. This workplace-based heart health educational outreach initiative for American Heart Month 2013 that promotes heart health awareness at the workplace using WomenHeart leadership and WomenHeart Champions as spokespeople to share WomenHeart's information about education, support, and advocacy on behalf of women living with or at risk of heart disease. The presentation offers important information for employees and covers key things they should know to take charge of their heart health at work and home. Request a presentation!
• For the second consecutive year, Armour-Eckrich's Healthy Ones deli-thin sliced tub lunchmeat and deli products has committed to supporting women living with heart disease through a through a cause-marketing partnership. Healthy Ones is highlighting the promotion with WomenHeart by introducing red-themed packaging and promotional material across Healthy Ones tub lunchmeat and deli products at grocery stores nationwide, with a donation to WomenHeart for each purchase.

To schedule an interview with a WomenHeart representative – CEO, woman heart patient, or leading health expert on women’s heart health – please contact Lisa Clough at 202.464.8734 or lclough@womenheart.org.

*Daviglus M, Talavera G, Avilés-Santa M L, Prevalence of Major Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Cardiovascular Diseases Among Hispanic/Latino Individuals of Diverse Backgrounds in the United States. JAMA 2012, Vol 308, No. 17

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WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease is the nation's only patient centered organization serving the 42 million American women living with or at risk for heart disease – the leading cause of death in women. WomenHeart is solely devoted to advancing women's heart health through advocacy, community education, and the nation's only patient support network for women living with heart disease. WomenHeart is both a coalition and a community of thousands of members nationwide, including women heart patients and theirfamilies, physicians, and health advocates, all committed to helping women live longer, healthier lives. To receive a free online heart health action kit or to donate, visit www.womenheart.org