San Antonio Community Hospital will unite residents of the Inland Valley community with 70 other communities across the U.S. through the fifth annual national Spirit of Women Day of Dance for Heart Health on Saturday, February 27, 2010. The event will combine the fun of dancing to different forms of music, such as Latin ballroom dancing, rock ‘n’ roll, salsa, and hip-hop, with health screenings and consumer education on heart disease and other women’s health issues.

Locally, Day of Dance will take place on Saturday, February 27, 2010, from 1 – 5 p.m. at San Antonio Community Hospital. The afternoon of fun includes dancing, physician speakers, health screenings, health education, dance demonstrations, dance instruction, and exhibit booths, plus other activities to remind participants that heart disease prevention can be a fun and energizing experience. Admission is $10 and advance registration is required by calling the hospital’s reservation line at 909.920.6139.

This is the second year that San Antonio Community Hospital is hosting the energy-driven, toe-tapping, heart-healthy event. Nationwide, more than 90,000 participants are expected to dance for their heart health at Day of Dance events in their community.

“The joy that comes from dancing can have a profound and wonderful impact on our overall health,” said Tanya Abreu, president and national program director of Spirit of Women. “On February 27, doctors, medical professionals, community leaders and citizens throughout the U.S. will all come together to share how they heed their own advice – they will dance and help educate women about healthy choices they can easily incorporate into their lifestyles, as well as personal warning signs women should be clued into.”

Nearly 500,000 women die each year of cardiovascular disease, making it the leading cause of death for American women. By dancing, you can burn as many calories as swimming, walking, or riding a bike (around 200 to 400 calories per hour). If done on a regular basis as a form of exercise, many health benefits result including 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. In addition, dancing can help develop new social connections as well as enhance and strengthen relationships. And, the perfect place to start is at the 2010 Day of Dance at San Antonio Community Hospital!