Attend Friday's Sister to Sister Woman's Heart Day Health Fair at the Pennsylvania Convention Friday, and take a step that could save your life.

Just a year ago, Mount Airy resident Byronette Watson , 52, was told at a health fair screening that she had high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and diabetes, three known risk factors for heart disease. She could have reacted complacently or been immobilized by fear. Instead, she immediately took action to regain her life and health.

First, Watson confirmed the results of the free screening with her doctor. “Finding out that I was suffering from the conditions that put you at risk for heart disease really shocked me,” said Watson.

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States, and African-American women are 72 percent more likely to suffer from heart disease than white women. In addition, Watson's diabetes made her two to three times more likely to have a heart attack.

At first, she felt like a walking time bomb. But once she overcame her fear, Watson committed herself to fixing the problem. And she made incredible progress.

Watson now wakes up early each day to walk on a local track. She also participates in Philadelphia’s Health Trip, a citywide health initiative that offers assessments and fitness classes at a very reasonable cost. For the past year, her exercise routine and healthier diet have resulted in her losing more than 60 pounds, and she's lowered her blood pressure and cholesterol levels to the point that she no longer requires daily medication.

Watson wishes she’d been aware of her precarious health sooner. She encourages Philadelphia women to participate in Friday's heart health fair, which will feature free health screenings and more. The event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. It’s free and fun and it just might save a life.

If you can't make it Friday, there's a similar event, the Women of Heart Health Fair, on Saturday, Feb. 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., also at the Convention Center, sponsored by the American Heart Association.