The region’s first female cardiologist, Lakshmi Parvathaneni,M.D., will lead the discussion about women and heart disease at this month’s St. John’s Women’s Health Forum, 6-8 p.m., Tuesday Feb.16 at St. John’s Hammons Heart Institute, 1235 E. Cherokee, Springfield.

Dr. Parvathaneni will discuss major health issues that can affect a woman’s risk of developing heart disease, such as metabolic Syndrome and diabetes. St. John’s internal medicine physician, Kristin Griffin, M.D., will also discuss symptoms that primary care physicians look for that can signify a cardiac problem.

This event is free and open to the public.  Please call 888-8888 or 1-800-909-8326 to register