UR Medicine Heart and Vascular team members.

UR Medicine is holding a series of talks about ways to improve your heart health and health screenings throughout the month of February, which is American Heart Month.

鈥淚t鈥檚 important to understand how to minimize our chances of developing cardiovascular disease and how our lifestyle choices and family history impact our heart health,鈥� said cardiologist Joseph Delehanty, M.D., who leads .

Most of the programs will be held at branches in the area. Participants will receive a free YMCA day pass and blood pressure screening.聽Talks are scheduled:

• 12 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 6 鈥� John Bisognano, M.D.,聽Ph.D., will discuss 鈥淗ypertension and Heart Health,鈥� and free screenings will be available from 10 a.m. to noon and 4 to 7 p.m. at the Maplewood YMCA, 25 Driving Park Ave.
• 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 7 鈥� Hanna Mieszczanska, M.D., will address 鈥淲omen鈥檚 Heart Health: What You Need to Know about Diet, Cholesterol and Blood Pressure,鈥� and free screenings at UR Medicine Heart and Vascular office at Clinton Crossings Building G, 2400 S. Clinton Ave.
• 10 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 13 鈥� Christopher Montgomery, M.D., will address 鈥淪hake the Salt Habit: Why Your Blood Pressure Matters,鈥� and free screenings will be available from 9 a.m. to noon and 4 to 7 p.m. at the Eastside Family YMCA, 835 Fairport Nine Mile Point Road. There will also be an open house from 10 a.m. to noon at UR Medicine Heart and Vascular offices located in the Eastside YMCA.
• 10 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 20 鈥� Andrew Mathias, M.D., will discuss 鈥淧ump It Up! Exercise And Your Heart,鈥� and free screenings from 9 a.m. to noon and 4 to 7 p.m. at the Westside YMCA, 920 Elmgrove Road.
• 10 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 27 鈥� Kathleen Raman, M.D., M.P.H., will address 鈥淕ender Differences: Why Women Should Focus on Their Heart Health,鈥� and free screenings will be available from 10 a.m. to noon and 4 to 7 p.m. at the Northwest/Greece YMCA, 730 Long Pond Road.

UR Medicine鈥檚 Strong Memorial Hospital is the region鈥檚 leader in heart care, according to U.S. News and World Report 2017-18 Best Hospitals.聽It is also home to Upstate New York鈥檚 only comprehensive heart failure and transplantation service.聽