Medical Centers Reaching Out To Protect

Hearts Around Valentine’s Day

Several area medical centers are reaching out around the Valentine’s Day holiday to appeal to residents to take good care of their hearts, and to get the necessary screenings to help address any cardiovascular issues before they become a problem.

According to physicians at New Milford Hospital, preventing heart disease, the nation’s leading killer, starts with understanding individual risks and then learning what to do to reduce them.

Half of the heart-related deaths are from coronary artery disease alone — and stroke, heart failure, hypertension, and other diseases of the heart and blood vessels cause the remainder. Identifying risk factors is the first step to a heart-healthy life.

On Monday, February 14, from 12:30 to 2:30 pm, Newtown residents are invited to take the first step by attending New Milford Hospital’s free heart health risk assessment. This screening include blood pressure, pulse rate, carotid bruits (carotid arteries), body mass index, and a personal assessment of various risk factors.

In addition, members of the hospital’s Breast Health Navigator Program will provide information on self-breast exams, mammograms, and the program itself.

This event will take place in the New Milford Hospital Main Lobby, is free and preregistration is not required. For more information or for a physician referral, call toll-free 800-350-1595 or visit www.newmilfordhospital.org.

The Masonicare at Newtown Nursing Department will sponsor a free blood pressure screening on Tuesday, February 15, from 10 am to noon in the Lockwood Lodge Wellness Center, 139 Toddy Hill Road. For further information, contact Patti Russell, RN, director of patient care services, at 203-426-5847.

St Vincent’s Medical Center is also planning its 5th Annual Heart Health Fair on Thursday, February 17, from 7 am to 4 pm in its Main Lobby. The event is open to the public at no cost and is in recognition of Heart Month.

The fair will be a sizable event, featuring 15 booths and offering various health screenings, information, free parking, a raffle, and giveaways.

Hosted by St Vincent’s Regional Heart & Vascular Center, the cardiology division of the medical center, the event aims to spread awareness of cardiovascular disease risk factors, prevention, and treatment options by teaching area residents to focus on overall health and wellness strategies, rather than simply changing habits after an unwanted diagnosis.

Attendees will be able to view results of cardiac CT scans at the Radiology booth and echocardiogram demonstrations at the Noninvasive Cardiology booth. Body fat analysis, body mass index, and blood pressure screenings will be offered free of charge. HDL cholesterol screenings will be offered for an $18 materials charge at the Cardiovascular Wellness booth.

For more information about the Heart Health Fair, the St Vincent’s Regional Heart & Vascular Center or for referral to a St Vincent’s cardiologist, call the toll-free Care Line at 877-255-SVHS (7847) or visit www.stvincents.org.