In recognition of American Heart Month, Overlake Hospital Medical Center is hosting a special event for women and invites attendees to nibble dark chocolate, sip red wine and learn more about caring for their heart.

The free program, Be Heart Smart: What women should know about their cardiac health, will be held on Feb. 16, from 6-9 p.m. at Overlake’s PACCAR Education Center, 1035 116th Ave. NE, Bellevue. Men are welcome.

The program opens with a heart health fair from 6-7 p.m. that offers a glass of red wine and samples of dark chocolate, both of which are known to have positive influences on cardiac health when combined with a healthy lifestyle. In addition, Overlake will provide non-fasting cholesterol screenings, blood pressure checks, a self-risk assessment and resource fair.

The program continues from 7-9 p.m. with a presentation by Vu T. Hoang, MD, Overlake cardiovascular surgeon, who will share risk factors and symptoms for cardiovascular disease and the latest diagnostic and treatment options.

In addition, Thomas Amidon, MD, cardiologist and Stephen Amidon, novelist, will share excerpts from their new book, The Sublime Engine: A Biography of the Human Heart, a historical look at our enduring fascination with the heart. Books will be available for purchase and the authors will participate in a book signing during the health fair.

Attendees must pre-register for the event by calling 425-688-5259 or visiting an Overlake website.