Baker Gilmour Cardiovascular Institute has partnered with Walgreens, WJXT News Channel 4, and the American Heart Association to develop a program called "Take it to Heart". The goal of the program teaches women about simple steps they can take to reduce their risk for heart disease and stroke.

Heart disease is known as the silent killer of women. It is the number one killer of American women. Stroke is the third highest cause of death. Yet, research shows that less than half of all women are aware of these alarming statistics.

Although cancer, specifically breast cancer, is most feared by women, heart disease is by far more responsible for deaths in women. Even when women are educated on the risks of heart disease and stroke, only 8% consider heart disease their greatest threat.

The decade-long public awareness campaigns waged against breast cancer succeeded in stimulating the medical community's responsiveness to battling this disease through providing improved screenings, treatment, and dedicated, ongoing research. Hopefully, by shining the same light on heart disease, through better educating women, we can impact its treatment in much the same way.