'Healthy Heart' Screenings at Wal-Mart Stores and SAM'S CLUB Pharmacie

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- In February, all Wal-Mart stores and SAM'S CLUB pharmacies nationwide will host a complimentary Healthy Heart Community Event to raise awareness of the nation's No. 1 killer -- heart disease. All visitors will be offered cholesterol and blood pressure screenings at no charge, samples of heart-healthy products, and educational information in an effort to help shoppers identify, manage, and reduce the risk factors for heart disease. Bayer HealthCare, the maker of Bayer Aspirin and One-A-Day Multivitamins, and Novartis, Inc., the maker of Benefiber and BP Success Zone, are the lead sponsors of this event.

The Healthy Heart event will be held at all U.S. Wal-Mart stores on Saturday, Feb. 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with screenings available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. SAM'S CLUB pharmacies will also participate, offering the event to members and nonmembers on Friday, Feb. 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with screenings available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The free screenings will be offered in the pharmacy area of all Wal-Mart stores and in SAM'S CLUB pharmacies. Cholesterol and blood pressure screenings will be conducted by health care personnel from a national screening company. No appointment is needed.

Every day, more than 930 Americans die from sudden cardiac arrest in the United States, according to the American Heart Association. American Heart Month is a reminder to all that education, evaluation, and action can significantly reduce the risk factors associated with heart disease. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. feels that way, too. That's why, for the second year in a row, it will host the Healthy Heart event to raise awareness of the often silent symptoms of heart disease.

Representatives from companies, including Bayer HealthCare, Novartis, Inc., McNeil Healthcare and Specialty Pharmaceuticals, Wyeth, Kellogg's, General Mills, Coca-Cola North America, PepsiCo Beverages and Foods, Promise Spread, and Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages, will be on hand to help educate shoppers about how to identify, manage, and reduce the risk factors for heart disease.

This event is one of many healthy living initiatives Wal-Mart and SAM'S CLUB have planned throughout 2005. Shoppers will have the opportunity to take a personal risk assessment that helps identify risk factors, such as age and gender, family history, and weight. Educational information also will be available, including the It's your heart. Be smart. Resource Book that discusses early detection and preventive measures, such as dietary changes, exercise, and an aspirin regimen.

"Through this event, we have the opportunity to educate nearly two million people in one day on the seriousness of heart disease, while encouraging them to evaluate their risks and take action if necessary," said Frank Segrave, vice president, pharmacy division for Wal-Mart. "Knowing the facts and making changes can go a long way toward lowering your risk. Past health events at Wal-Mart have helped thousands of people identify their heart risk factors and prompt them to visit their doctor and learn more. We are hopeful everyone we reach will take action to live a healthier life."

Last year, Wal-Mart was able to reach more than 1.7 million people nationwide with its Healthy Heart Community Event. It is never too late in life to substantially lower your risk of heart attack by aggressively lowering your blood cholesterol levels.

"I want to commend you (Wal-Mart) for this service and encourage you to provide it more frequently," said Claudia Martindale of Spring Branch, Texas, after receiving a heart screening at her local Wal-Mart last year. "My husband has been out of work, and we do not have health insurance. My readings are all higher than normal and I have been exercising and dieting in the hope of improving them but with no way to know how I was doing. Thank you so very, very much!"

More than 1.2 million Americans suffer heart attacks each year (some 700,000 of them first-time attacks), and approximately 500,000 die from heart disease -- the leading cause of death in the United States. Cardiovascular disease also claims the lives of more women than all forms of cancer combined. Still, many people do not even know they could be at risk for heart disease because many of the risk factors, including high blood pressure and cholesterol, have no signs or symptoms. Women might even experience different symptoms than men. Screenings often reveal the early warning signs of heart disease and stroke.

The Healthy Heart Community Event is supported in part by the following companies and brands: Bayer Aspirin, Benefiber, BP Success Zone, Berry Burst Cheerios, Breyers, Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages, Centrum, Green Giant Frozen Vegetables, Kellogg's, Minute Maid Heart Wise, One-A-Day Vitamins, PepsiCo Beverages and Foods, and St. Joseph Aspirin, Armour(R) Steakhouse Tenders(TM), Birdseye, Hershey's SmartZone(TM), Kraft Foods, Sun Multigrain Chips, Promise Spread, and Welch's 100% Grape Juice, Egg Beaters(R) -- The Healthier Egg(TM), Equal Sugar Lite, Fleischmann's(R) Margarines, Healthy Choice(R), and Sara Lee.

Note: a 10% service fee applies to nonmember purchases at SAM'S CLUB. About Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operates Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and SAM'S CLUB locations in the United States. Internationally, the company operates in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, South Korea and the United Kingdom. The company's securities are listed on the New York and Pacific stock exchanges under the symbol WMT. More information about Wal-Mart can be found by visiting http://www.walmartfacts.com/ . Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com/ .