Beth Oliver, DNP, RN, bottom center, with participants in The Mount Sinai Hospital’s health fair.
In recognition of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women® campaign, more than 1,000 participants attended health fairs throughout the Mount Sinai Health System on Friday, February 2. Go Red for Women aims to raise awareness of heart disease, the No. 1 killer of women worldwide.
Patients and providers tend to think of heart disease as a men’s disease, and only one in five women consider it their main health concern. This leads women to be unaware of their risk factors, even though 80 percent of cardiovascular disease is preventable by modifying behavior, says Beth Oliver, DNP, RN, Senior Vice President of Cardiac Services for the Mount Sinai Health System.
The health fairs, which were held at five locations, provided free screenings for blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglyceride levels, and body mass index—giving participants their “heart health numbers.” Experts were on hand to discuss nutrition and diet, diabetes risks, stress management, smoking cessation, and relaxation techniques.
“Our goal is to educate our communities and employees about their risk factors for cardiovascular disease,” Ms. Oliver says. “With these health screenings and educational demonstrations, we aim to empower attendees to take control of their heart health and make positive, healthy changes.”
At Mount Sinai Union Square, from left, patient care associates Donna Steele and Jovonn Douglas, with Regina Jones, RN.
At Mount Sinai St. Luke’s, from left, Kerry-Anne Martin, RN; Maria Vezina, EdD, RN, Vice President of Patient Care and Chief Nursing Officer; Joan E. Joseph, MHA, BSN, RN; Stephanie Guareno, RN; and Seana Friedman, RN.