Verde Valley Medical Center invites the community to its “Heart of the Matter” cardiac education topic Monday, Feb. 9, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Heart Attacks and Me – Get Your Heart in Here! will be presented by Samuel Butman, M.D., interventional cardiologist.

Each year, more than a million people in the United States have a heart attack, and almost half of them die. If care is sought soon enough, blood flow in the blocked artery can be restored in time to prevent permanent damage to the heart. Unfortunately, most people do not seek medical care for two hours or more after symptoms begin. This can be changed.

A heart attack occurs when the blood supply to part of the heart muscle, the myocardium, is severely reduced or stopped. If the blood supply is cut off for more than a few minutes, muscle cells suffer permanent injury and die. This can disable or kill someone, depending on how much heart muscle is damaged.

A heart attack is a life-threatening event. Everyone should know the warning signs of a heart attack, which aren’t always what you think. Learn about causes, symptoms, and how to lower your risk of heart attack in February’s free lecture. The program will be presented at VVMC, 269 S. Candy Lane, Cottonwood, in Conference Rooms B & C. Please call 639-6322 to reserve a seat. Walk-ins also are welcome.