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Women's health seminar slated for April 28 It is not widely known that heart disease is the leading killer of women, but the American Heart Association is attempting to change that with a nationwide awareness campaign.    Locally, Women’s Heart Care at the MUSC Heart & Vascular Center and Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of South Carolina have created the inaugural Women’s Heart Health Symposium, an event designed to educate the public about risk factors, warning signs and prevention of women’s heart disease.   Spearheaded by MUSC Heart & Vascular board member Beverly Seinsheimer, the community event will feature MUSC Women’s Heart Care cardiologists and other speakers to share essential tips on healthy living, a performance by the Charleston Ballet Theatre and a fashion show hosted by Ellen Berlin of local fashion house, Berlin’s. The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 28 at the Gaillard Auditorium.   The cost to attend the first Women’s Heart Health Symposium is $10, which includes a heart healthy lunch, door prizes and gift bags.    “Our goal is to empower women to play an active role in their heart care by providing them with heart health assessment tools and tailored strategies to help them live healthier lives,” said Pam Morris, M.D., MUSC Women’s Heart Care cardiologist.   Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr. will kick off the symposium, and South Carolina first lady, Jenny Sanford, will serve as honorary chairwoman.  In addition, Praise Aerobics will offer heart healthy aerobic instruction, and participants will experience heart-healthy cooking demonstrations and receive a heart-healthy boxed lunch.   “Having a background in cardiovascular nursing and a keen interest in prevention, I knew it was time to team up with Pam Morris, one of the nation’s leading female preventive cardiologists, and start saving lives,” Seinsheimer said.  “MUSC is fortunate to have on its cardiology staff three female cardiologists known for treating women and focusing on prevention. In addition, MUSC is one of the top heart hospitals in the nation. I felt like it was time for women to understand their number one killer, to understand that it can be prevented and to know how to recognize symptoms if an event occurs. It is my hope that women from all walks of life will leave our conference empowered to share their experience with friends and family and to make the changes necessary in their lives to be heart healthy. We want them to make the commitment.”   For an additional $10, participants will also have the opportunity to receive a heart health screening, which includes cholesterol, blood pressure and body mass index. Scholarships will be available for those who may not be able to afford the cost of the event. Participants who need scholarship support should indicate this need when registering.   “I think women need to know that heart disease, not cancer, is the leading cause of death among women and, that armed with knowledge about risk factors and lifestyle modifications, they can be proactive in taking charge of their health, reducing their risks, and being an example to other women and their families,” said Marian Taylor, M.D., MUSC Women’s Heart Care. “I am incredibly excited about the opportunity to be involved in a program to empower women about their heart health.  I think Charleston is a perfect city to host this type of program as South Carolina ranks high in the number of people affected by heart disease and stroke. And, this is a city that is proactive with regard to health [including] the bridge run, tobacco cessation in public places, and restaurants with heart-healthy menu options. Given that Charleston is the heart of the Lowcountry, there is no better place to educate and empower women to take care of their own heart.”   Screenings will take place from 8 to 9 a.m.  Space is limited, so reservations are required. To make reservations to attend the first annual Women’s Heart Health Symposium and receive the heart health screening, participants should call 792-7549 or e-mail WHHS@musc.edu.   For information visit http://www.americanheart.org/womenshearthealthinitiativecharleston.     Friday, April 13, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.