Raritan Bay Medical Center - Marketing and Business Development Department

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Perth Amboy - 530 New Brunswick Avenue, Perth Amboy NJ 08861

Old Bridge - One Hospital Plaza, Old Bridge NJ 08857

For Immediate ReleaseContact: Eric Muench

January 19, 2015(732) 324-5142

Get Heart and Stroke Smart: Rock Your RedFebruary 6

By:Eric J. Uhrik, MD

It’s not just a man’s disease. National Wear Red Day is a day set aside for women to learn how to lessen their risk for heart attack and stroke. Heart disease and stroke kill 1 in 3 women, yet it is 80 percent preventable with lifestyle changes and medication.

So rock your red and join the healthcare experts from Raritan Bay Medical Center, which will be hosting free blood pressure screenings, heart healthy info, and stroke awareness education at locations throughout the Central Jersey community February 6. Visit for information on activities and locations.

It’s never too late for women to get heart healthy. Schedule an annual physical and start your heart-healthy habits right now.Here are a few tips for women from the American Heart Association:

  • Do you have a family history of heart disease and stroke?If so, see your doctor to learn what you can do to decrease this hereditary risk.
  • Don’t smoke, and stay away from second-hand smoke. Smoking is the most preventable cause of death in the U.S.
  • Drink in moderation. Alcohol can add calories, raise your blood pressure, and lead to heart attack and stroke.
  • Ask your doctor about birth control that won’t put your heart at risk. Some oral contraceptives can cause an increase in blood pressure. Remember that smoking and oral birth control can lead to blood clots and other cardiovascular disease.
  • Knowing the numbers that impact your heart is an important step toward healthy living. Have an annual physician to track cholesterol, blood pressure, BMI (body mass index) and other heart-heath indicators, including a minimum of 30 minutes of daily exercise.

Raritan Bay Medical Center is a New Jersey state-designated primary Stroke Center and a member of the Capital Institute for Neurosciences Network, enabling the medical center to continually improve the availability of advanced diagnostics and treatment for patients with neurological disorders. For more information, call the Stroke Center at 732-324-4970.

Dr. Eric J. Uhrik is medical director of the Stroke Center at Raritan Bay Medical Center (RBMC). He has been a practicing neurologist for more than 18 years and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Dr. Uhrik is board certified in Neurology, board eligible in Neurocritical Care and was recognized as a Top Doctor in Neurology by New Jersey Monthly magazine in 2013 and 2014.