7 Heart Facts:

• More women than men die from heart disease
• Heart Disease is the #1 killer of women in the United States
• Women of color have higher rates of heart disease than any other group
• African American women have the highest rate, 35% higher than any other group
• Nearly 50% of all African-American women living in the US have some form of heart disease
• Almost 2/3 of women who suddenly die from heart disease have no symptoms
• African American women have the least awareness of the risk factors contributing to heart disease
  

Join us in the Bahamas!

"The Island Heart Beats Experience was an unexpected magical retreat. Grand Bahama Island was beautiful, the food was delectable, the spa was magnificent, the fellowship was awesome and the men were breathtaking. Every woman who has a heart, whether married or single, should treat her heart to a vacation and come here to be inspired, invigorated and reinvented. Sign me up for next year!"

- Yolanda

---

"Good fun, good food, and I picked up a few good friends along the way. The ultimate girl’s nite out. I came back with my mind renewed, my body refreshed and my spirit filled with LOVE. I would do it again in a heartbeat! Island Heart Beats is the formula 4 rejuvination."

- CJ

---

"Hi Ladies, I would like to take this opportunity to thank each of you for making my trip an enlightening and inspirational experience. Unfortunately I do not typically find myself in the presence of women of your magnitude and the Island Heart Beats Experience gave me an opportunity to be surrounded by beautiful, positive, influential black women. My ability to commune and share with all of you intelligent women with diverse backgrounds and experiences has encouraged me to continue my path of self discovery and growth to become a better me and to look for ways to become a better human being. Thank you all for showing me how small my world has been and how I can broaden my horizons. I look forward to seeing all of you again next year."

Sincerely, Josie Jones

---

"Although I know it was a brief time I too thought it was great, uplifting, encouraging and fun. I know we were brought together from Nic's hardwork but as important I realize its always a higher source carving out this great puzzel of life and perfectly placing the pieces together in the massive plan. So I'm thankful for all I received and all I was able to bring to the weekend and wish for us all to hold on to whatever made us feel fresh and renewed."

Until next time stay fresh, Eileen

---

"Island Heart Beats Experience is for those of us who's hearts will continue to beat even after our heart's have been beaten up."

Terry McMillan

 

 

The Island Heart Beats Experience

A personal journey into the emotional, spiritual and physical dimensions of heart health.

VISIT OUR FLASH SITE FOR THE FULL EXPERIENCE! OR CLICK HERE TO VISIT OUR BLOG.

When: May 12-15, 2011

Where: Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas

What: A fun, unique tropical interlude designed to encourage women of color to take time to love themselves. The weekend is filled with activities to invigorate the heart emotionally, spiritually and physically. All women are welcome.

Welcome to Island Heart Beats

This place is about the heart. We want to make it fun, healthy, informative, and just maybe, if we can get it right, transformational.

No one wants to talk about our hearts--not even us. This space will be our place to talk about our hearts in all of its manifold dimensions: emotional, spiritual, and physical. We are complicated beings living in complicated times, but we ignore the needs of our heart at our own peril.

The ancient Egyptians believed that the heart held the mind and soul of the individual. Indeed, it was believed that in the Great Hall of the Hereafter the heart of the deceased was weighed on a scale against a single feather. If one's heart was free from the impurities of sin, and therefore lighter than the feather, then one could pass into the eternal afterlife.

There is wisdom in the notion of a lighter, happier heart. We must strive to make better choices in our habits, relationships, and lifestyles. The things that weigh down on our hearts we must let go.

We do not claim perfection or authority. We are at the beginning of our own exciting journey to happier healthier hearts.

Our Mission

African American women are the most affected by the deadly realities of heart disease, yet are the least informed. Island Heart Beats Experience intends not only to create more awareness among African American women, but to highlight ways to more effectively communicate with the group most at risk. Our intent is not to exclude anyone – all women are welcome.

My Heart Story

Based on the experience of nearly losing my mom and going through two years of rehabilitation with her, the fragility of the heart is etched in my mind. However, I have become just as concerned about the damage to the heart that may be undetected by a physician and his machines. Like many African American women, I have suffered heartbreak, heartache and everything in between. I now know our doubts, disappointments and fears have negative consequences.

We are emotional beings. We are spiritual beings. We are physical beings. And these three parts of our being intersect at our hearts. Heart health, thus involves, all three elements of our being. You can be a person that goes to the gym every day, or you can be in love, or you can pray every night and your heart still may not be healthy.

Island Heart Beats Experience was created to be a fun place to encourage women to focus on their hearts. We say” Island” because the islands represent to us unspoiled landscapes of new possibilities and fresh perspectives. Island Heart Beats Experience represents a new space in our lives, minds, and, yes, hearts.

We invite you to come along on a journey. Together we’ll explore ways to better create a balance for our hearts between our emotional, spiritual and physical beings. I believe we'll discover how to better harness our powerful inner potential and engage the world in new and exciting ways.

~ Nicole Scott

We would love to hear your heart story!

		Nicole M. Scott, Executive Producer Turquoise Waters Productions Office: 407-574-8633 E-mail: nicole@islandheartbeats.com E-mail: info@islandheartbeats.com Share your heart story with us and it might be featured on our site.

 

© 2011 The Island Heart Beats Experience
Site Design by Mazedude Productions