BURLINGTON, N.J., Jan. 30, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Nearly 43 million women are currently living with heart disease– the leading cause of death of American women. However, women can easily take charge of their health and reduce the risk of heart disease by 30-50% by engaging in physical activity.[i] That’s why WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease and Burlington Stores, a national off price retailer, are dedicating the fourth year of their partnership to driving home the importance of exercise and physical activity in the fight against heart disease by launching the Heart of Fitness Tour.

Taking place at select Burlington locations this February, American Heart Month, the tour will inform women coast to coast about heart disease as the leading health threat and empower them to get moving. Additionally, from February 1 through March 31, Burlington customers can support the cause by donating $1 or more at check-out to benefit WomenHeart to further their mission to educate women about the importance of heart health and support women living with this chronic and life-threatening disease. As a thank you for donating, customers will receive 20% off the merchandise value of their purchase at www.1-800Flowers.com. Burlington will also donate $1, up to $25,000, to WomenHeart for every dress sold during that timeframe.

Customers are invited to participate in the Heart of Fitness Tour at select Burlington locations, which will consist of a complimentary fitness class led by certified instructors, including a light stretch and brisk walk around the store. On average, every minute you walk extends your life by one and a half to two minutes.[ii]  The events will also offer free heart health screenings (blood pressure measurement, waist circumference, and a risk factor questionnaire) from heart health professionals. Bilingual educational materials will be distributed by WomenHeart Champions, heart disease survivors who are volunteer community educators and advocates for women’s heart health.

The tour will take place at each of the following Burlington stores from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.*, with the fitness element taking place from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00p.m.:

• 2/3 – Chicago, IL (1100 South Canal St.)
• 2/5 – New York, NY (40 E. 14^th St.)
• 2/5 – Puerto Rico (SR 2 & Main Avenue)
• 2/10 – Dallas, TX (3131 Forest Lane)
• 2/12 – Houston, TX (16311 F.M. 529)
• 2/17 – Miami, FL (5737 NW 7^th St.)
• 2/19 – Tampa, FL (955 W. Brandon Avenue, Brandon)
• 2/24 – Phoenix, AZ (5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle, Tempe)
• 2/26 – Atlanta, GA (5766 Buford Highway North, Doraville)
• 2/26 – Los Angeles, CA (1201 S. Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia)

*Date/Locations are subject to change. Starting February 1^st, be sure to visit BurlingtonCoatFactory.com/RedDressEvent and www.womenheart.org for event information, and follow #HeartofFitness.

“Burlington is committed to raising awareness about the importance of women’s heart health,” said Tom Kingsbury, Chairman and CEO, Burlington Stores. “We are pleased to be working with WomenHeart for the fourth consecutive year to help educate women nationwide about living heart healthy. Adding the new Heart of Fitness Tour to the campaign this year serves as a fun way to further engage with our customers and provide them with the tools they need live a healthy lifestyle.”

“Our partnership with Burlington means that more women nationwide will receive the life-saving services and resources necessary to live a heart healthy life,” said Mary McGowan, Interim Chief Executive Office of WomenHeart. “We look forward to supporting women throughout the country as they strive for better heart health!”

During the past three years, Burlington and its generous customers have raised more than $3.4 million to support WomenHeart and its free education and support services for women living with heart disease in communities throughout the country. It also enabled the organization to continue to support and educate Hispanic women – a high risk population for heart disease – through its Para la Mujer Hispana initiative.

About Burlington
Burlington is a national off-price retailer offering style for less with up to 65 percent off department store prices every day. Departments include ladies’ dresses, suits, sportswear, juniors, accessories, menswear, family footwear and children’s clothing. It also includes an assortment of furniture and accessories for baby at Baby Depot, home décor and gifts, along with the largest selection of coats in the nation for the entire family. Burlington has 542 stores in 44 States and Puerto Rico.  For more, visit www.BurlingtonStores.com.

About WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease
WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease is the first and still only nation’s only patient centered organization serving the 42 million American women living with or at risk for heart disease – the leading cause of death in women. WomenHeart is solely devoted to advancing women’s heart health through advocacy, community education, and the nation’s only patient support network for women living with heart disease. WomenHeart is both a coalition and a community of thousands of members nationwide, including women heart patients and their families, physicians, and health advocates, all committed to helping women live longer, healthier lives. To receive a free online heart health action kit or to donate, visit www.womenheart.org/.

[i] Go A S, Mozaffarian, D, Roger, V L, Benjamin E J, et al. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2014 Update: A Report from the American Heart Association Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee. Circulation 2014. Pg. 122, pg. 208, pg. 209, pg. 122, pg. 204, pg. 202, pg. 203, pg. 77, pg. 39 & pg. 66.

[ii] Orenstein, B. W. (2014, January 21). 10 Surprises About Heart-Healthy Exercise. Retrieved from URL