Good Samaritan is dedicating the month of February to your heart. Heart health is an important aspect of a person’s overall well being and should be a top priority. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease kills more than 600,000 people in the United States each year; amounting to one in every four deaths in this country. It is also the leading cause of death in women. Knowing your risk for heart disease is the first step in keeping it healthy. That is why Good Samaritan is providing free screenings and information throughout the month.

Everyone is encouraged to attend Good Samaritan’s free stroke screenings on Friday, February 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Utilizing a scorecard, an individual’s risk for stroke is formulated by the results of different tests. These tests include: blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), lipid profile, carotid artery screening, atrial fibrillation and glucose screening. Educators and registered nurses will also be providing valuable information and hand-outs on different ways to decrease your risk of stroke.

“Our stroke screenings are always successful and appointments usually fill up quickly,” said Debra Hardwick, Community Health Coordinator. “It is a great way to provide a free service to our community and hopefully lower the risk of stroke in the individuals who attend.”

Appointments are required for the screenings. Those interested in making an appointment can call Community Health at 812-885-8753.

The Dayson Heart Center at Good Samaritan is also raising heart health awareness by celebrating National Cardiac Rehabilitation Week from February 11-17.

Cardiac rehabilitation aides in the reduction of potentially devastating effects of heart disease and improves the quality of life for patients and their families. Cardiac Rehabilitation Week, initiated by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR), coincides with both Valentine’s Day and American Heart Month in an effort to draw greater national attention to heart health. This year’s theme, “Making Positive Changes, One Beat at a Time,” honors the patients, families, and health care professionals who are dedicated to cardiac rehabilitation as a vehicle for a healthy lifestyle.

“Cardiac Rehab is very important to help any heart patient make positive or healthy lifestyle changes,” said Hilary Cecil, MS, Cardiac Rehab Exercise Specialist. “Although we can’t change the past, we can help improve your heart’s future. We can help reduce the risk of future cardiac events by stopping or at least slowing down the progression of cardiovascular disease through exercise and patient education.”

In celebration of Cardiac Rehabilitation Week, Good Samaritan’s Dayson Heart Center will be providing free education and blood pressure screenings on Thursday, February 15, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the first floor of Gibault Memorial. Visitors can receive cardiac risk factor education for self-assessments, information about upcoming stroke and vascular screenings, and education about Phase 3 Cardiac Rehab services.

Another way Good Samaritan is promoting heart health is by participating in National Wear Red Day®. On Friday, February 2, Good Samaritan employees will be wearing their red in support of raising awareness of women and heart disease.

The American Heart Association created National Wear Red Day in 2004 with a mission to dismiss myths and raise awareness of heart disease and stroke as the number one killer of women. To support heart health in women locally, Good Samaritan employees are encouraged to wear red. Photos of employees will be shared on the hospital Facebook page throughout the day. Community members are also welcome to wear red and share their photos on social media using the hashtag #GoRed.