This year's Mid-Missouri Heart Ball will coincide with Valentine's Day, often symbolized by a heart.
The timing is not entirely coincidental, according to Stacy Welling, who is a co-chair - along with her husband, George - of this year's event.
The Mid-Missouri Heart Ball, now in its 24th year, offers an elegant evening that has grown over the years and now attracts in the range of 700 people.
The message, however, is to heighten awareness and increase prevention of heart disease and stroke.
Welling points out the signs of heart disease may be subtle. "I think there's a misconception that the symptoms will be severe," she said, "especially for women."
The American Heart Association describes one heart attack symptom as "discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. it can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain."
Welling said if the pain subsides, "people may not seek help right away." Delay only invites more urgent or invasive medical attention.
Other heart attack warning signs include shortness of breath and/or discomfort in the chest or other areas of the upper body.
An easy way to remember the warning signs of a stroke is by using the mnemonic device, FAST.
• Face drooping to one side or numbness? Ask the person to smile.
• Arm weakness in one arm or numbness? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
• Speech slurred. Is the person unable to speak or difficult to understand? Ask them to repeat a simple sentence.
• Time to call 911 if the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away.
"George and I are big supporters of heart health," Welling said, "and the Heart Ball has become an important way to raise awareness and funding for life-saving initiatives and research."
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women, in part because its warning signs may be mild and intermittent. That's all the more reason to promote awareness, practice prevention and support the American Heart Association.