February 10, 2010

BIRMINGHAM, Ala - Since1963 February has been "American Heart Month," and this year, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Heart and Vascular Services is participating a number of events in and around the hospital and clinics to mark the occasion.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and accounts for nearly 30 percent of the deaths in Alabama. According to the American Heart Association, every 25 seconds an American will have heart attack, and every minute someone will die from one.

Nurses and dieticians will be in the North Pavilion Atrium of UAB Hospital from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 16-18 to provide visitors with educational information related to heart health and help participants complete the UAB HeartAnswers online heart-risk assessment. They also will have giveaway items and heart-healthy recipe booklets available.

The Kirklin Clinic will show educational heart videos and provide participants with cardiovascular health brochures and healthy recipe booklets at a booth on the second floor of the clinic from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 23-25.

About UAB

UAB's nationally ranked heart program provides the full spectrum of cardiovascular services and performs the most advanced cardiovascular, peripheral vascular and thoracic surgery procedures available. UAB's Heart and Vascular Services provides care for adults through the UAB Division of Cardiovascular Disease and  Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery and the Section of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy. Pediatric cardiovascular services are provided through UAB Division of Pediatric Cardiology.