Since her twenties, Linda felt like she had the word "smoker" tattooed on her forehead whenever she'd see a doctor. Her symptoms – shortness of breath, dizziness, fatigue – were always chalked up to her smoking habit. "Of course, I knew that my smoking contributed to my symptoms, but I wished I had a doctor who would be proactive about my health, even though I'm a smoker," she said. As Linda got older, she became increasingly concerned about her health. “I was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse,” she said. “It’s a common condition that explained a lot of my symptoms. But I found out later that was a misdiagnosis – my condition was much worse.” Around her 50th birthday, suspected she may

The American Heart Association (AHA) held its 2012 Start Training Team Kickoff on Saturday at the California Family Fitness Center in Folsom. The event included health screenings, nutritional and health information as well as a series of mentor and inspirational speeches. This year’s run/walk half marathon will be held at the American River Parkway on April 28. Participants are required to raise a minimum of $500 through writing letters, email campaigns and personal fundraising websites. The goal for this campaign is $100,000. By the kickoff meeting, a little over $6,000 had already been pledged. Start Training is a team training program for AHA half marathon participants of all levels

SACRAMENTO — Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento has received the Get With The Guidelines® – Heart Failure Silver Performance Achievement Award from the American Heart Association. The recognition signifies that Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento has reached an aggressive goal of treating heart failure patients with 85 percent compliance for one year to core standard levels of care as outlined by the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology secondary prevention guidelines for heart failure patients. Get With The Guidelines is a quality improvement initiative that provides hospital staff with tools that follow proven evidence-based guidelines and procedures in caring for hear

Wednesday, Sept. 15 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. The California Emergency Management Agency is hosting September Preparedness Month. Join Cal EMA Secretary Matthew Bettenhausen and other emergency response agencies and learn about the importance of preparedness. About 20 people are expected to attend this event on the North Steps of the Capitol. 1-10 p.m. The Mexican Cultural Center of Northern California will be hosting a celebration for Mexican Independence Day on the West Steps of the Capitol. Around 3,000 people are expected to attend. Thursday, Sept. 16 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. The American Heart Association presents the Start! Heart Walk and Wellness Fair on the West Steps of the Capitol. The Start!

A Sutter Heart & Vascular Institute worker checks blood pressure during the start of Sacramento's American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement at the capitol building this morning. Men and women were screened for heart disease and other health issues.  There was a Heart disease and stroke health disparities briefing for legislative staff by Sutter cardiologist Diane Sobcowicz, M.D., Board President, American Heart Association Sacramento Division. February is Heart Month and Sacramento will show its support for the American Heart Association’s fight against the nation’s leading killer of women – heart disease. Five buildings, including two neighboring structures in downtown Sacra

William Land Park will come alive Saturday with over 3,000 community members walking together to fight against heart disease in the Sacramento Heart Walk.  Start! Heart Walk is locally sponsored by Sutter Heart & Vascular Institute, and aided nationally by the American Heart Association.  The event is scheduled to begin from 8 a.m. to noon. The Sacramento community is very much involved, said Kristine Mosqueda-Kelly with American Heart Association.  Families and individuals are participating in this event to share their stories and hopefully raise community awareness about the fight against heart disease and stroke.  The event is driven by volunteers and walkers to fund lifesaving researc

Thursday, Sept. 17 8 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. The California State Treasurer's Office will be setting up an information booth for the State Employees Charitable Campaign near the traffic circle west of the Capitol. About 75 people are expected to visit. 9:30 a.m. - noon A film crew of eight people from the China Travel Channel will be filming on the north and west sides of the Capitol. 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. American Heart Association will be holding a wellness fair on the west steps of the Capitol. During their lunchtime, about 2,500 state employees will also be walking around the Capitol in the AHA's annual Health Walk. Friday, Sept. 18 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. The Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club will be ho

Wednesday, May 20 8 a.m.-4 p.m. California Hunger Action Coalition will be holding a Hunger Action Day on the north steps of the Capitol. "Each May, hundreds of anti-hunger advocates from all over the state meet in Sacramento to educate their legislators about hunger and support anti-hunger legislation. Low-income advocates, soup kitchen volunteers, nutritionists, food bank supporters and others concerned about the 3.1 million Californians experiencing hunger travel by bus, car and airplane once each year to participate in this important event," says the event's webpage. 350 people are expected. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. American Heart Association will be holding an educational California Lobby Day