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Don't rely on cholesterol. 77% of heart attack victims had normal cholesterol. -
Preventive Screening Becomes Law The bill passed by Texas lawmakers would require reimbursement of up to $200 for certain approved screening tests for men between ages 45 and 75, and women between ages 55 and 75, who are at intermediate risk of a heart attack according to their Framingham Risk Score. -
Don't Rely on Appearances Winston Churchill lived to 89, and was an obese, heavy smoker and drinker. -
Don't Rely on Risk Factors Jim Fixx, world famous marathoner, died of a massive heart attack at age 52
Society for Heart Attack Prevention and Eradication
| SHAPE to Conduct Task Force Meeting on the Latest Heart Attack and Stroke Prevention Science SHAPE announces its upcoming meeting on Cardiovascular Risk Assessment in the Asymptomatic Population to be held on Friday, May 10, 2013. Part of its ongoing series of scientific conferences on preventive cardiology through early detection of atherosclerosis, the meeting includes presentations by some of the most distinguished researchers, clinicians and academicians in the field including Morteza Naghavi, M.D., PK Shah, M.D., Matthew Budoff, M.D., Tasneem Naqvi, M.D., J. David Spence, M.D. and Harvey Hecht, M.D. Click here more information on presentation topics. |
For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Dick Hellner
404-889-2055
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SHAPE Petitions Texas Legislature to Name September 1st as 'Texas Blood Pressure Day'
The resolution is being introduced along with a new bill for blood pressure screening at Texas DPS Offices while applying or renewing drivers license.
Houston, Texas, Friday, March 29, 2013 – A Resolution to establish Texas Blood Pressure Day as an annual event each September 1st has been proposed to raise public awareness of the importance of knowing your blood pressure and risk of heart attack or stroke.
The Society for Heart Attack Prevention and Eradication (SHAPE), a Houston-based nonprofit that promotes early detection and prevention to reduce the risk of adverse cardiovascular events, recommends learning and monitoring your blood pressure as a critical first step in achieving and maintaining heart health.
In Texas, nearly 50,000 people died last year due to cardiovascular disease, most of which could have been prevented. This represents one of every four deaths in the state. Additionally, about 28% of Texans have high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. High blood pressure can lead to the build-up of plaque in your arteries, called atherosclerosis, which is the primary cause of the more than one million heart attacks and strokes that occur annually in the U.S.
“Both blood pressure and atherosclerosis are silent killers, blood pressure is silent until heart failure or a stroke occurs, and atherosclerosis is silent until a heart attack or sudden death. The status quo pays doctors to treat patients after the damage occurs but does not pay them to detect and prevent it, this is not smart!” said Dr. Morteza Naghavi, the founder of SHAPE and the Executive Chairman of the SHAPE Task Force that calls for an overhaul of existing cardiovascular healthcare policies.
This Resolution, authored by Rep. José Menendez of the 124th District in San Antonio, calls for the annual recognition of the importance of knowing you blood pressure, as high blood pressure (hypertension) is a leading risk factor for heart attacks and stroke”.. Read More
Download the full Press Release HERE.
For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Dick Hellner
404-889-2055
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
New Bill Introduced in Texas Legislature to Raise Awareness for Prevention of Heart Disease at DPS Offices
The bill provides the opportunity for Texans to check their blood pressure and assess their risk of heart disease when applying for or renewing a drivers license.
Houston, Texas, Wednesday, March 21, 2013 – At a press conference held today at the state Capitol in Austin, the Society for Heart Attack Prevention and Eradication (SHAPE) announced that it helped introduce a bill in the Texas legislature to increase public awareness of heart attack and stroke prevention. The legislation would provide a free blood pressure check for drivers license applicants at the Texas Department of Public Safety Offices (DPS). In addition, a questionnaire-based assessment of their cardiovascular risk factors would be completed that utilizes the National Institutes of Health’s Framingham Risk Scoring system. The Risk Scoring system is based on an individual’s blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, and diabetes history and calculates a statistical probability of having a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years.
“This legislation is intended to raise public awareness about the importance of knowing your cardiovascular risk by incorporating a simple heart attack risk-scoring test into the driver's license application process which would be implemented in addition to the eye vision test already being used at Texas Department of Public Safety offices” said Richard Hellner, CEO of SHAPE...Read More
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Golf Fore Heart 2013
Golf Fore Heart 2013
Guy P. Fernandez Memorial Golf Tournament
The splendid reputation of this event continues to grow! This year Golf Fore Sight is scheduled for Wednesday, June 12th, 2013 at the Mountain Branch Golf Course located in Joppa, Maryland.
Once again, co-chairmen JoAnne Zawitoski, SHAPE's Board President, and Mark Montgomery are excited to be hosting this annual event. As the event fills up quickly, please don't wait to register.
For sponsorship and volunteer information, please email us at
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or call 713-529-4484 .
Click here for more information on the event.
Featured Stories
Larry Weathers MD, FSCCT, FSCAI
Dr. Weathers was the physician champion responsible for bringing the SHAPE Accredited Centers of Excellence Program to Mercy NW Arkansas in October of 2010. Since implementing the SHAPE program, Mercy NW Arkansas has averaged over 15 coronary calcium scoring patients a day compared to 1 patient per day before earning the SHAPE accreditation! As a result of the program, they have identified over 200 patients with calcium scores in excess of 1000 (very high risk for acute events) and saved numerous lives in the NW Arkansas region!...Read More
We will be featuring other noted physicians periodically. Check back regularly to learn more about SHAPE Certified Providers and Centers of Excellence partners.
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Find out more.Current News Stories
CT Scans Show Mummies with Atherosclerosis
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