Free Health Screenings Offered to Public for Healthy Heart Month

As part of Healthy Heart Month, nurses from KEMH Outpatient Services will be in the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH) lobby to offer free health screenings between 11am and 2pm on Wednesday 10 and 24 February 2010.

“Heart disease is the number one cause of death for both men and women around the world and affects one in two Bermudians,” says Norma Smith, Director of Outpatient Services for Bermuda Hospitals Board. “While lifestyle changes are the best way to combat and prevent heart disease, people need to understand their own risk for the disease. It could be the difference between life and death.”

Research has shown that by controlling risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, weight and physical activity, the chances of developing this debilitating and sometimes fatal condition can be reduced.

Testing will be carried out by trained nurses , including staff of the Diabetes Centre, Cardiac Unit and Dialysis and will include:
• Blood pressure
• Blood sugar
• Waist circumference
• Body Mass Index

“Knowing your risk for heart disease can give an early warning, giving you time reduce the likelihood of a cardiac incident,” comments Myrian Balitian-Dill, Cardiac Care Nurse at KEMH. “Our nurses can not only test you, but provide professional healthcare advice as to what your numbers mean. We invite the public to stop by and learn more about their risk of heart disease. Understanding these vital statistics might save your life.”

King Edward VII Memorial Hospital is committed to preventing heart disease and reducing repeat heart attacks through education and testing for risk factors. Anyone who is recovering from heart disease or returning home from a heart procedure overseas can attend the hospital’s regular Cardiac Education Classes. The classes are run by Mrs Balitian-Dill, who is a nurse specialist in cardiac care. They cover how to manage heart disease, how to become more active and what to eat for a healthy heart. Anyone interested in attending should call 239-1219.

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