St Vincent’s Explores ‘Alzheimer’s Epidemic’

BRIDGEPORT — “The Alzheimer’s Epidemic” is the next St Vincent’s Healthy Hearts Club meeting topic on Wednesday, September 3, at 7 pm in the Level C Seton Room of St Vincent’s Medical Center. The presentation is free and open to the general public.

Featured speaker is Raymond Gabriele, MD, who will discuss the Alzheimer’s epidemic predicted for the United States and the entire world. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, an estimated 5.2 million Americans of all ages have the disease in 2008. A recent US study estimated that the nation’s Alzheimer’s toll will reach 16 million by 2050, while a more conservative tally by Johns Hopkins researchers put current cases at 3.1 million with a projection of 8.8 million by 2050, still a frightening prospect.

Dr Gabriele will discuss the reasons for the predicted epidemic, including the growth in the elderly population based on the aging of the baby boomers, and longer life expectancies due to advances in the treatment of other diseases resulting in reduced mortality from them.

A question and answer period will be included. Light refreshments will also be served.

Parking is free in the new Campus Parking Garage in front of the medical center with validation of the ticket. No registration is necessary.

St Vincent’s Healthy Hearts is open to all cardiac patients and their families For further information on the Healthy Hearts Club, call St Vincent’s CareLine toll-free at 877-255-7847 or St Vincent’s Cardiac Rehabilitation at 203-576-5012.