In support of heart disease and stroke, one of the leading causes of death for women, register for the Feb. 18 event.
February is American Heart Month and the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Women’s Health is hosting a virtual Heart Smart Veteran Townhall.
Register for the Wednesday, Feb. 18, event at 5 p.m. ET.
“This a time for us to focus on heart health and prevention because we know that heart disease and stroke remain one of the leading causes of death for women in the United States,” said Dr. LaToya Harris, program analyst for the VA’s Office of Women’s Health, during a VSO call. “And women veterans face some unique life experiences that put them at higher risk for cardiovascular disease. They have higher prevalence of things like obesity and hypertension. And some of the non-traditional risk factors that we know are attributed to cardiovascular disease such as homelessness, post-traumatic stress disorder and military sexual trauma also put our women veterans at higher risk.
“That’s why the VA is truly committed to helping women veterans lower their risk through awareness and continuous support.”
The Heart Smart Townhall is open to all veterans to help them understand healthy ranges for blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose and body mass index (BMI), and the role they play in preventing cardiovascular disease.
“Having these numbers in check and at healthy levels lowers your risk for heart disease and stroke,” Harris said.
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