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.