McLaren Thumb hosting heart health virtual event Submitted to the Tribune FacebookTwitterEmail Dr. Gassan Alaouie UPPER THUMB - February is American Heart Month. Started in 1963, the annual event was officially designated to help educate Americans on heart disease, and to encourage them to join in on the fight against it. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. To help further the important mission of American Heart Month, McLaren Thumb Region is offering a heart health-related community education event. This event will take place at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 10 live on McLaren Thumb Region's Facebook page. Dr. Gassan Alaouie, D.O. will present, Heart Disease Signs, Symptoms & Risk Factors.