Discovery Familia launches ‘Escucha tu Corazón’.

American Heart Month and Discovery Familia joins this important cause by launching the “Escucha tu Corazón” (Listen To Your Heart) initiative to raise awareness and educate Hispanic women about heart disease, including their risk factors. The national initiative includes special on air programming, Public Service Announcements (PSAs), a microsite specifically created to provide information on the subject, and a special collaboration with the The Heart Truth, a national campaign for women about heart disease sponsored by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

As part of the collaboration with The Heart Truth campaign, Discovery Familia created PSAs that will feature Jeannette Torres-Álvarez, the official ambassador for Discovery Familia. The PSAs include information on risk factors such as being overweight and diabetes, and ways to prevent heart disease.  They will be broadcast during the network’s nighttime programming, beginning February 6.

“Heart disease is the primary cause of death among Latinas in the United States. Any one of us could have a predisposition to heart disease. That is why we need to become informed, get our medical check-ups, be willing to change our lifestyles and always listen to our hearts,” stated Jeannette Torres-Álvarez, Discovery Familia’s ambassador.

As the network’s ambassador and representing Hispanic women, Jeannette has also been invited to participate in the The Heart Truth’s Red Dress Collection 2012 Fashion Show scheduled for February 8 at 7 PM ET in New York City. This annual event during New York Fashion Week brings together more than 20 celebrities walking the runway in fashions created by some of America’s top designers. The main aim is to raise awareness of the #1 killer of women and prompt women to take action to lower their risk for heart disease.

Following through on its promise to provide Hispanic women in the United States with information and shows expressly created to address her needs, Discovery Familia will also broadcast special programming during its “Sábados médicos” (Medical Saturdays) at 10 PM E/P every Saturday during the month of February. Some of the medical specials to be featured include: Cardiovascular Disease programs, (2/11); the documentary The First Heart Transplant, (2/18) hosted by renowned surgeon Dr. Mehmet Oz, which describes the first heart transplant done in 1967; and new episodes of the series, Surgery Saved My Life, (2/25).

The network has also created a microsite at www.discoveryfamilia.com, which will provide women with helpful tools and specific information on cardiovascular disease, prevention tips, facts, videos, as well as a direct link to The Heart Truth campaign .