Starting today, Richmond Hill Kroger customers can make appointment for a free health screening.

In an effort to support heart disease prevention efforts, Kroger just announced that 50 stores throughout its Atlanta Division, which includes Richmond Hill and Savannah, will provide free health screenings – including tests for cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes and body mass index – Feb. 23 through March 7.

Appointments can be made by calling (877) 479-2546 or by visiting www.kroger.com/hearthealthy.  Screenings will be conducted by pharmacists or other qualified professionals in Kroger store pharmacies.

With coronary heart disease being the No. 1 cause of death and a major cause of disability in among Americans, simple health screenings is a vital preventive measure.

According to the CDC, an estimated 785,000 Americans will have a new coronary attack in the year 2009 alone, which American will have a new coronary event about every 25 seconds, and about one will die every minute.

 “Heart disease is one of the most prominent illnesses affecting our county today,” says Glynn Jenkins, director of communications for Kroger’s Atlanta Division.  “We hope to create awareness and provide education about heart disease and the importance of frequent health screenings through this very important initiative.”