St. James Prepares for National "Day of Dance for Your Health"

Franciscan St. James Health will invite women from across the south and southwest suburbs to the National Day of Dance for Your Health on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012, at the .  

Franciscan St. James is the only area hospital joining Spirit of Women Hospitals across the country as they take a stand against heart disease through Day of Dance. 

The event will combine the fun of dancing to different kinds of music, such as ballroom dancing, rock ‘n roll, jazz, salsa, swing, and hip-hop, with health screenings and community education on heart disease and other important health topics.

Although in its seventh year nationwide, this is the first year that south and southwest suburban residents will participate. Up to 500 women from across the Southland are expected to participate, which will take place at the St. James Health & Wellness Institute, 100 197th Place, Chicago Heights.  Nationwide, more than 75,000 women are expected to dance for their health in the hopes of creating healthier communities.

“Day of Dance not only increases awareness of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors, but inspires immediate action for better health.  This program has resulted in millions of consumers exposed to the powerful concept that good health can be just a dance away,” said Tanya Abreu, president and national program director of Spirit of Women.

, Franciscan St. James Health’s Day of Dance for Your Health will include dancing, prominent physician speakers, and other activities to remind participants that preventing cardiovascular disease and a healthy lifestyle can be a fun and energizing experience. 

Franciscan St. James will offer free health screenings, starting at 5:30 p.m. Screenings will include Cholesterol, Blood Glucose, Blood Pressure, Bone Density and Waist-Girth.

“Coronary heart disease, which causes heart attack, is the single leading cause of death for American women,” said Franciscan St. James president, Seth Warren. “Many women believe that cancer is the number one cause of death, but they're misinformed. Nearly twice as many U.S. women die of heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases than from all forms of cancer, including breast cancer.”

Day of Dance focuses on dance as a way to take steps for a healthier life because dancing can burn as many calories as swimming, walking, or riding a bike – up to 400 calories per hour.

Many health benefits may result from dance if it is done on a regular basis as a form of exercise.  Benefits include weight maintenance or weight loss, blood pressure and cholesterol management, increased energy, decreased sadness and depression, increased coordination and muscle strength, and an overall sense of well-being.

Day of Dance for Your Health takes place during Heart Health Awareness Month and participants are encouraged to wear red to show their support for women’s heart disease awareness.  The Red Dress® is the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness and was created by The Heart Truth® to deliver an urgent wakeup call to American women.

To register for the Franciscan St. James Day of Dance, call 1-800-785-2637, or visit www.franciscanstjames.org/dayofdance.