Saturday marks Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center’s 22nd annual Heart & Health Screenings, an event expected to draw more than 800 community participants interested in protecting themselves from cardiovascular disease, stroke and diabetes. The event is set for Feb. 6 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at EIRMC Medical Office Building (west of the main hospital.)
The event also caters to person’s intent on learning more about significant indicators of their health, at little or no cost.
A new seminar is being offered this year on Advance Directives and Living Will preparation to help people understand the importance of letting their wishes be known before they face a life-threatening illness or injury. Information on organ donation also will be available.
An annual physical by a personal physician is an essential way to keep track of significant health indicators, but as unemployment and the number of uninsured continue to rise during this economic downturn, many will forego their routine wellness check-ups for financial reasons — underscoring the value of the hospital’s screenings as an important gift to the community.
Saturday’s offerings are free of cost to participants, although some paid $15 earlier in January to have lab work done (a total lipid panel blood test, analyzing cholesterol, triglycerides and other indicators.) Some 728 participants jumped at the chance to have the reduced-cost test performed, because the amount charged represents a small fraction of the actual value of the service.
The American Heart Association has repeatedly emphasized the importance of this type of screening – even for young adults – in clinical findings. Many are surprised to learn that according to AHA recommendations; patients’ general risk of cardiovascular disease should be routinely assessed beginning as early as age 20. For more on the recommendations, see www.americanheart.org. The screenings being offered by EIRMC at the Heart & Health Screenings mirror those recommended by the AHA, plus several more.
Free Health Screenings:
Heart risk assessment results, for those who had lab work performed at one of the four widely-advertised blood draw opportunities in January. No blood will be drawn at the screenings on February 6.
Learn what results mean and reduce your risk of heart disease
Diabetes risk assessments
Blood glucose checks
Foot and ankle screening
Sleep assessment
Advanced Directives and organ donor information
Body mass index
Body fat analysis
Blood pressure checks
Pulse checks
Ankle-brachial pulse check (stroke risk assessment)
Plastic surgery consultations
Free Classes and Workshops:
In addition to the wide range of hands-on health screenings, throughout the day the hospital will also offer a variety of seminars and classes. Topics range from how to cook comfort food that’s healthy; learning the signs, symptoms and risk factors for stroke; preparing a personal heart attack survival plan; dealing with joint pain; and advance directives and living will preparation.
Free “Information Super Hallway”
A wide variety of health information from support groups, service providers, area agencies, and others will be available for the taking in our Information Super Hallway. Visitors are free to “take one” of anything that catches their interest.
Free Giveaways!
There also will be free giveaways, hourly drawings, and a grand prize of a $100 gift certificate to the Grand Teton Mall.
