During American Heart Month in February, Doctors Hospital of Manteca will join with the American Heart Association in a comprehensive month-long campaign designed to educate the community about cardiovascular disease, including a free online risk assessment.
Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of both men and women in the United States, resulting in nearly 801,000 deaths in 2013. More than one in three American adults has some form of cardiovascular disease.  The three hospitals offer a comprehensive network of potentially life-saving cardiac and stroke services at convenient, easily accessible locations in their communities. They have also increased their sponsorship with the AHA to provide greater support, patient education and community outreach regarding cardiovascular and heart disease.
“Fast, accurate diagnosis and treatment of heart attack, stroke and cardiac disease can be critical to survival,” said Ikenna “Ike” Mmeje, CEO of Doctors Hospital of Manteca. “Our three hospitals offer high-quality cardiac and stroke services right here in our local communities and every day our employees and physicians see the importance of early interventions in saving lives.”
As part of the campaign, the three hospitals will offer a variety of activities and resources to increase community and patient awareness of heart disease. These include:
•Online Risk Assessment Test – Residents can assess their risk for heart disease by filling out a brief online questionnaire.  The link is www.ValleyHealthCheck.com/HeartCheck.
•Public Service Announcement – A 30-second public service announcement sponsored by the three hospitals will encourage walking for heart health and will be shown on local TV stations throughout Heart Month.
•Free Informational Flyers – Flyers with educational information and tips about how to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease will be made available to visitors to the three hospitals throughout February.
•National Wear Red Day – Events will be held at the hospitals in recognition of National Wear Red Day on Feb. 5, which is designed to raise awareness of the fact that heart disease and stroke kill one in three women, more than all cancers combined, yet they are 80 percent preventable.