Today is the start of American Heart Month and it’s a good time to look at the statistics – and how we can improve them.

Cardiovascular disease is still the No. 1 killer of men and women, killing about 800,000 Americans each year, and nearly 20,000 right here in Tennessee. That’s more than the next four causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer.

But up to 80% of cardiovascular disease may actually be PREVENTABLE through healthy lifestyle choices.

The American Heart Association recommends:

Listen to your body! If you feel something is not right, get it checked out.

For tons of great information on how to beat heart disease, visit the American Heart Association website at heart.org.

And remember this Friday is National Wear Red Day: everyone wear red to support the fight against heart disease in women.

Nashville, TN - Winterfest, a songwriter event at 3rd and Lindsley featuring several Grammy Award-winning writers, will take place on February 7, with 100% of the door proceeds benefiting the American Heart Association.

Renowned writers Bob di Piero (number one hits for Reba McEntire, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, George Strait, Vince Gill and more), Liz Rose (number one hits for Taylor Swift), Lori McKenna (songs for Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Alison Krauss, Keith Urban and LeAnn Rimes) and Hillary Lindsey (hits for Martina McBride, Sara Evans, Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Trisha Yearwood, Leeann Womack, Faith Hill), are among those scheduled to perform, with additional writers from Cal IV Entertainment, Roots Three Music, BMG Chrysalis and more.

The February 7 event begins at 6 p.m. and is presented by Singles Only.  Tickets are $5 at the door.

For more information on the event: Denny Carr, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , (615) 327-2645.

Nashville, TN - It’s a “red” time of year - and the American Heart Association wants you to show your red online.

In honor of National Wear Red Day this Friday, February 3, the American Heart Association and Go Red For Women invite YOU to join the first-ever National Wear Red Day Challenge at www.Facebook.com/GoRed.  Post your best “red” picture or video on the Wear Red Day Challenge tab, and then have your friends vote for you! There will be winners in 13 original categories. Submissions will be accepted until February 23. Winners will be announced on February 25.

National Wear Red Day is the annual icon day for Go Red For Women, when the nation goes red in support of women’s fight against heart disease. People, buildings, companies, streets across the country will be dressed up in red to support the fight against women’s Number One killer.

More information on exciting “red” activities here in Middle Tennessee will be released shortly.

Nashville, TN - The American Heart Association has named three Heart Gala Honorees to be recognized for their significant impact in the field of cardiovascular disease and stroke in Middle Tennessee.  They will be honored at the 2012 Nashville Heart Gala on February 11.

The Heart Gala Honorees are Keith B. Churchwell, M.D., Thomas L. Herron, FACHE and William S. Stoney, M.D.

Dr. Churchwell is Associate Professor of Medicine and Radiology and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Medical Officer of Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute. He is a member of the American Association of Nuclear Cardiology, the Institute of Molecular Imaging, the American Society of Echocardiography and a fellow with the American College of Cardiology. He earned his A.B. degree in biology from Harvard University and his M.D. from Washington University in St. Louis. Churchwell has been named to the list of “Best Doctors” by the Best Doctors in America and Best Doctors list by Castle-Connolly since 2001. He is vice president of the American Heart Association Greater Southeast affiliate board of directors.

Herron has served as Chief Executive Officer of Centennial Medical Center since January 2006.  He has more than 30 years of experience in hospital administration and prior to being named CEO at Centennial Medical Center, he served as CEO at Largo Medical Center for 10 years.  A fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, he earned his bachelor’s degree in English and pre-medical studies and a master’s degree in healthcare administration and public health administration from the University of Oklahoma.

Dr. Stoney is a pioneer in the field of cardiovascular medicine. He helped establish cardiac surgery services at Saint Thomas Hospital in the 1960s and in 1968 he performed the first coronary artery bypass graft in Tennessee. Stoney was president of the medical staff in 1985-86 during which time Saint Thomas Hospital performed the State’s first heart transplant.  In 1995, Stoney retired after 33 years of practice. He served more than 30 years as a professor of surgery at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, which established the William S. Stoney Chair of Cardiac Surgery in his honor. Currently he is an honorary member of the Division of Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery at Saint Thomas. Stoney earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry at the University of the South and his medical degree at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. His published works include more than 60 articles and the book Pioneers of Cardiac Surgery, published in 2008.

The American Heart Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to building healthier lives free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Funds raised at the Heart Gala go to research, education and community health initiatives to fight the No. 1 killer of men and women.

For more information on the Heart Gala, visit www.heart.org/nashvilleheartball.

Nashville-based artist and season eight American Idol finalist Danny Gokey and Nashville hit songwriter Joe West will perform at the American Heart Association’s 2012 Nashville Heart Gala on Saturday, February 11 at Loews Vanderbilt Hotel.

Gokey’s 19 Recordings/RCA Nashville 2010 debut album, My Best Days, earned the best first-week sales of any debut country male in 18 years. The album included the poignant ballad, “I Will Not Say Goodbye,” which Gokey will perform at the Heart Gala. “That song just totally represents what I felt when my wife passed away,” says Gokey. His wife, Sophia, died unexpectedly after heart surgery several years ago, just one month before his American Idol audition. Gokey finished third in the competition. He most recently toured with Taylor Swift in late 2011.

As a songwriter, West has had number one singles for Jimmy Wayne ("Do You Believe Me Now"), Toby Keith (“American Ride”) and Keith Urban (“Without You”). He has worked as a producer and mixer for such artists as Emmy Lou Harris, Warren Zevon, Shakira, Justin Timberlake, and Indigo Girls. His music has been featured in more than 100 network, cable and feature films.

The American Heart Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to building healthier lives free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Funds raised at the Heart Gala go to research, education and community health initiatives to fight the No. 1 killer of men and women.

For more information on the Heart Gala, visit www.heart.org/nashvilleheartball.

Your risk of heart attack may increase during the days and weeks after the death of a close loved one, according to research reported in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

A study of 1,985 adult heart attack survivors showed that after a significant person’s death, heart attack risks:

“Caretakers, healthcare providers, and the bereaved themselves need to recognize they are in a period of heightened risk in the days and weeks after hearing of someone close dying,” said Murray Mittleman, M.D., Dr.P.H., a preventive cardiologist and epidemiologist at Harvard Medical School’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and School of Public Health’s epidemiology department in Boston, Mass.

Researchers also found that the increased risk of heart attack within the first week after the loss of a significant person ranges from one per 320 people with a high heart attack risk to one per 1,394 people with a low heart attack risk.

The study is first to focus on heart attack risk during the first few days and weeks after someone close died.

Grieving spouses have higher long-term risks of dying, with heart disease and strokes accounting for up to 53 percent of deaths, according to previous research.

As part of the multicenter Determinants of MI Onset Study, researchers reviewed charts and interviewed patients while in the hospital after a confirmed heart attack between 1989 and 1994. Patients answered questions about circumstances surrounding their heart attack, as well as whether they recently lost someone significant in their lives over the past year, when the death happened and the importance of their relationship.

Researchers used a case crossover design to compare patients over the past six months. The approach eliminated the possible confounding factors of comparing different people.

The researchers estimated the relative risk of a heart attack by comparing the number of patients who had someone close to them die in the week before their heart attack to the number of deaths of significant people in their lives from one to six months before their heart attack. Psychological stress such as that caused by intense grief can increase heart rate, blood pressure and blood clotting, which can raise chances of a heart attack.

At the beginning of the grieving process, people are more likely to experience less sleep, low appetite and higher cortisol levels, which can also increase heart attack risks.

Grieving people also sometimes neglect regular medications, possibly leading to adverse heart events, said Elizabeth Mostofsky, lead author of the research. “Friends and family of bereaved people should provide close support to help prevent such incidents, especially near the beginning of the grieving process.”

Similarly, medical professionals should be aware that the bereaved are at much higher risk for heart attacks than usual.

“During situations of extreme grief and psychological distress, you still need to take care of yourself and seek medical attention for symptoms associated with a heart attack,” Mittleman said.

Heart attack signs include chest discomfort, upper body or stomach pain, shortness of breath, breaking into a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

Future studies are needed to make more specific recommendations based on the study, Mittleman said.

Co-authors are: Elizabeth Mostofsky, M.P.H, Sc.D.; Malcolm Maclure, Sc.D.; Jane Sherwood, R.N.; Geoffrey Tofler, M.D.; and James Muller, M.D. Author disclosures are on the manuscript.

The National Institutes of Health funded the research.

The American Heart Association is pleased to announce that Vanderbilt University Medical Center has been recognized as a 2010 Heart Walk Champion.  Twenty-five companies in the nation are being recognized as leaders in supporting the American Heart Association through the Heart Walk, the association’s largest grassroots fundraiser.  Vanderbilt ranks eleventh in the nation, and first in the association’s Greater Southeast Affiliate covering much of the southeastern U.S.