The Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC) OutReach Center will host a free program on Women and Heart Disease Wednesday, Feb. 28, at the OutReach Center located in Southland Mall in recognition of American Heart Month.

Dr. Jody Stagg, Cardiologist with the Cardiovascular Institute of the South, will give expert advice on identifying the early warning signs of heart disease, which is the leading cause of death among women. Heart disease killed almost 500,000 women in 2003; comparatively, all forms of cancer combined killed under 300,000.

Dr. Stagg will also explain the most up to date treatments of the disease. Other topics will include why heart disease is more difficult to diagnose in women than men, and why minority women are at a significantly higher risk of developing heart disease than Caucasian women.

“Paying attention to the warning signs and a healthy lifestyle are the best protection against heart disease,” said Dr. Stagg, “that is why it is so important for women to be well-informed about heart disease and how it relates to their health,” he added.

Please call the TGMC OutReach Center at 985-876-7577 to register for the program or for more information.