Posted: Monday, January 25, 2010 9:47 am

Dr. Britton Mioton

An estimated 41 million American women suffer from heart disease.

More than 8 million women have had heart attacks with more than 200,000 dying each year.
Combined with other related illnesses, heart disease kills more women each year than anything else.

Heart disease is easily preventable, if only women have the information they need.
“February is heart month. It’s a great time to educate the community on the importance of women and heart disease,” said Angie Boyd-Chambers, public relations director at Middle Tennessee Medical Center.

MTCM is educating women across the community with several events to celebrate heart month.
The hospital will hold the Women and Heart Disease Luncheon from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19 at the Embassy Suites on Medical Center Parkway.

“Saint Thomas Heart at Middle Tennessee Medical Center is proud to sponsor the Women in Heart Disease Luncheon and is committed to decreasing the number of women affected by heart disease in our community,” Boyd-Chambers said.

Saint Thomas Heart at MTMC Cardiologist Dr. Britton Mioton will be the keynote speaker at the lunch.

“(He) will discuss the causes and effects of heart disease and provide steps that guests can take to ensure great heart health,” Boyd-Chambers said.

Mioton came to MTMC in February of 2008 from New Orleans where he was in practice nearly 25 years.

But before the lunch begins, local women can also participate in a “Go Red For Women” casting call from 11 a.m.-noon.

“Go Red For Women” is looking for women to share their heart stories and the choices they make to live a heart-healthy lifestyle, empowering others by example.

Women who share their stories have the chance to become a spokesperson for the cause – representing Go Red For Women in marketing materials, at events, on GoRedForWomen.org and possibly in a national television special about women and heart disease.
For more information and to RSVP, call 615-396-4352.

Also in honor of Heart Month, MTMC will present the Heart Healthy Cooking School at noon Friday, Feb. 5 in the Food Court of Stones River Mall.

The Heart Healthy Cooking School is a free, heart-healthy cooking demonstration and tasting is designed to provide valuable information on how to choose ingredients and recipes that is better for your heart.

For more information and to RSVP for classes, call 1-800-588-3270. Reservations must be made by Wednesday, Feb. 3.

Saint Thomas Heart at MTMC is Murfreesboro’s dedicated heart program, providing patients with the highest level around the clock.

For more information visit www.heartasone.com or call 615-867-5028.