P&G, WomenHeart, actress Brenda Strong team up to help women lower cholesterol

CINCINNATI Procter & Gamble and WomenHeart, a national organization dedicated to promoting women's heart health, on Wednesday announced a partnership around Metamucil to create tools that encourage women to lower their cholesterol.

As part of that partnership, "Desperate Housewives" star and heart health advocate Brenda Strong is serving as a spokesowoman to promote the importance of cholesterol screening for women through a "Beautify Your Heart" program.

"With heart disease directly impacting the lives of my loved ones, my personal connection to heart disease led me to become a part of the ‘Beautify Your Heart’ program,” Strong stated. “Metamucil and WomenHeart have come together to provide women with tools and resources to help them lower their cholesterol and live a heart healthy lifestyle. I successfully lowered my cholesterol by taking Metamucil and want to encourage other women to try and do the same." 

Women who want to be a part of the "Beautify Your Heart" program can visit www.BeautifyYourHeart.com and pledge to get a cholesterol screening. On the site, a free online locator to help find a cholesterol screening location is available. P&G and WomenHeart are also sponsoring a Beautify Your Heart sweepstakes featuring a heart makeover getaway. 

According to a survey sponsored by P&G and WomenHeart, 60% of women did not know their cholesterol number and 37% have not had their cholesterol checked in the past year. 

The survey also indicated many women are unaware that fiber can help beautify their hearts. "Fiber plays an important role in helping to lower cholesterol," stated Pamela Marcovitz, director of the Ministrelli Women's Heart Center in Royal Oak, Mich. "By increasing their fiber intake, exercising daily and eating a nutritious diet, most women can achieve a heart healthy lifestyle."

According to the survey, only 11% of women say they are most likely to look for foods high in soluble fiber when looking at a food nutrition label.

P&G is also donating $100,000 to WomenHeart to help fund heart disease advocacy and education. 

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