My Health is wearing red to promote women's heart health | Lifestyles

MORGANTOWN – Mon's health system staff wore Red Friday to raise awareness of women's heart health.

Friday was "Wear Red Day," promoted by the American Heart Association in an effort to educate women about cardiovascular disease.

"In West Virginia, the rate of heart disease in women is double the national average," said Dr. Samantha Crites, a cardiologist at the Mon Health Heart & Vascular Center. "It's important to educate women about heart disease because they are sometimes considered a risk for men."

Free blood pressure screening was offered at Mon Health's facilities throughout the day on Friday.

Dr. Crites encourages women to take preventable steps to take care of their heart.

"It's essential to be concerned about heart disease," she said. "More women die of heart disease than any other largely preventable disease."

For more information on the My Health Heart Center, visit myhealth.com/heart. To make an appointment, call 304-278-6562.