Rush & 2 BigHearts

Heightening Awareness of Heart Disease Among Women

Heart disease is the number one cause of death for women and we need to raise awareness that women must take an active role in caring for their heart and vascular health. Therefore, Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and the 2 BigHearts Foundation are joining together for women’s heart health. Rush and 2 BigHearts are working to educate women and their families about heart disease risks, causes, prevention and treatment by offering free screenings to women age 21 and over.

The free screenings, which help women assess their cardiovascular risks, include:

• Echocardiogram
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Fasting blood sugar test
• Lipid panel
• Height/weight/blood pressure tests
• Evaluation of waist circumference and body mass index (BMI)
• Health risk assessment
• Consultation with a cardiologist or nurse practitioner

The first screening offered by Rush and 2 BigHearts took place February 24, 2007. The second screening was on June 2, 2007. Results from these screenings illustrate why future screenings are so crucial to women’s cardiovascular health.

Out of 274 women screened …

• 8 percent found out they had a heart abnormality and needed to see a physician
• 59 percent of the women had abnormal lipid results and were advised to make either lifestyle/behavior changes and/or follow-up with a doctor
• 92 percent plan to make lifestyle changes related to the results of the screening and said they plan to discuss results with their doctor

The 2 BigHearts Foundation was formed after its founder, Jim Clarke, lost his wife and sister-in-law on the very same day to cardiomyopathy, or an enlarged heart muscle. He created 2 BigHearts to enlighten others about the profound ramifications of heart disease in women.

“By telling the story of my wife and her sister,” says Jim, “I hope to stress that a similarly tragic scenario is avoidable for other women with proper heart health education.”

You can learn about this very important mission and read the entire story of Gigi and Sally in a Message from Jim Clarke.

Future Screenings

The next free women’s heart screening will be offered at Rush by appointment only on Saturday, May 3, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Space is limited and people must register for an appointment time by calling (888) 352-RUSH. Eligibility is limited to women 21 years of age or older who have not participated in a prior screening and are not currently receiving cardiac medical care.

To learn more about the 2 BigHearts, Jim, Gigi and Sally, or to contribute to the foundation or learn how to become a corporate sponsor, visit www.2bighearts.org.