"10,000 Heart to Hearts" to Help Senior Women Fight Top Health Threat

BRENTWOOD, Tenn., Feb. 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Many women don't realize aging makes heart disease likelier. To combat this problem, teams from Brookdale senior living communities nationwide are fanning out to personally alert women 65 and over to their increased risk and provide resources to fight it. The company hopes to reach 10,000 older women through "10,000 Heart to Hearts," beginning Feb. 1. 

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"Cardiac disease kills more women than all cancers combined," said Brookdale chief medical officer Kevin O'Neil, M.D., F.A.C.P.  "On average, women develop heart disease 10 years later than men, with their first heart attack occurring at age 70."

By their 70s, most women have hypertension and aging makes it harder to cope with cardiac disease's impact.

"Three-quarters of older women who survive heart attacks can't resume their normal lives," said Dr. O'Neil.  "However, healthy habits can dramatically reduce risk."  He noted a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology shows lifestyle changes can decrease the likelihood of female heart disease by 90%.

Through 10,000 Heart to Hearts, Brookdale professionals will visit older women in their homes to explain the risk, check blood pressure, discuss healthier lifestyles, provide Brookdale's heart-healthy cookbook and food, and connect them with resources. There is no charge for the visits, which will include women with Alzheimer's. 

To schedule a visit, contact the nearest Brookdale community, go to brookdale.com or call toll-free 866-869-7711.  Older women and others concerned about heart disease are invited to ask questions of Brookdale chief medical officer Dr. O'Neil in a free webinar at 3:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. CT/12:30 p.m. PT., Feb. 18, register here. 

About Brookdale

Brookdale Senior Living Inc. is the leading operator of senior living communities throughout the United States. The Company is committed to providing senior living solutions within properties that are designed, purpose-built and operated to provide the highest-quality service, care and living accommodations for residents. Currently Brookdale operates independent living, assisted living, and dementia-care communities and continuing care retirement centers, with more than 1,150 communities in 46 states and the ability to serve approximately 110,000 residents. Through its ancillary services programs, the Company also offers a range of outpatient therapy, home health, personalized living and hospice services.

Contact: Kristin Puckett, 615-564-8481, [email protected]

SOURCE Brookdale Senior Living, Inc.