The Tribune

THE Bahamas Heart Association has scheduled several events for Heart Month to increase awareness about heart disease and help encourage heart-healthy lifestyles. The Minister of Health has said non-communicable diseases account for 45 per cent of all deaths in the Bahamas. Heart disease is one of them - and the top killer in the country. The Bahamas Heart Association is the educational arm of The Sir Victor Sassoon Heart Foundation. It is staffed by volunteers who donate their time and services to help needy children with the cost of heart investigations and surgery; advise the public of all aspects of heart disease, risk factors and preventative care; and make speakers and educational material available to schools, youth groups, service clubs and other public meetings. The events for Heart Month are: * February 5 - Church service at Heritage of Redeeming Love Methodist Church. * February 11 - Free CPR classes at SC McPherson School from 10am to 2pm * February 16 - Doctor's Hospital Lecture at 6pm, with blood pressure checks from 5pm. Free. * February 17 - 'Go Red' for Women's Day. Free. * February 18 - The 48th annual Heart Ball. * February 23 - The annual Health Fair at Town Centre Mall from 9am - 4pm. Free. * February 23 - Bahamas Surgical Associates Centre/Cleveland Clinic Free Heart Health Seminar at the British Colonial Hilton. Reception at 6.30pm, seminar starts at 7pm. * February 25 - The annual Fun/ Run Walk. The public is encouraged to purchase "Go Red" pins for a minimum donation of $3, to be worn during Heart Month and especially on Go Red day. The pins symbolise women's heart health, and the proceeds help to repair hearts. Bahamas Heart Association's president Thelma Johnson said: "I wish to encourage individuals and corporations to become members of the Bahamas Heart Association. Our motto of 'Mending Heart/Savings Lives' reaches every Bahamian. "In that regard, we are calling upon all schools to encourage their students to wear red on February 17, in exchange for a gift donation of $1 per child." For more details about Heart month and the Bahamas Heart Association, call 327-0806 or visit sassoonheart@gmail.com. * See tomorrow's Big T for more Heart Month events and activities.