Local Focus to National Heart Month: Baptist Health Care Raises Awareness through Preventive Screening, Education
As the nation recognizes American Heart Month in February, Baptist Hospital’s Heart and Vascular Care is providing you with free screening events and educational seminars throughout the month.
“One of the most important steps we can take in preventing heart disease is understanding the risk factors,” said Leslie Estes-Smith, director, Baptist Heart and Vascular Care. “There are risk factors that we can’t control such as age, gender and family history, but there are many risk factors that we can control like smoking, hypertension, high cholesterol and lack of exercise. In addition, early detection through preventive screenings lessens your chance of developing this life-threatening disease.”
Screening Opportunities
Baptist Heart and Vascular Care are offering screening opportunities in a community near you.
Tues., Feb. 9, 6 to 7 p.m.
Free heart risk screening and town hall meeting focusing on preventive medicine
Pensacola Junior College Amos Performance Center
Thurs., Feb. 11, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Vascular screening only
Baptist Medical Park - Navarre
Call 434-4080 to register for a vascular screening. The cost per vascular screening is $99.
Thurs., Feb. 25, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Healthy Heart Expo and Vascular Screening
Cordova Mall center court
Heart risk screenings are free and open to the public. Vascular screenings are $99, and require an appointment. Call 434-4080 to register for a vascular screening.
Educational Seminars
Maybe you’ve heard the statistics on heart disease and want to know more, Are you at risk? What treatment options or preventive measures are available for you? Join Get Healthy Pensacola and GoldenCare to learn from the heart and vascular pros at Baptist Health Care.
Tuesday, February 2 – light lunch 11:30 a.m.; Noon to1p.m. seminar
Andrews Institute Athletic Performance & Research Pavilion, Conference Room B
Wednesday, February 10, light lunch 11:30 a.m.; Noon to 1 p.m. seminar
Baptist Hospital, Medical Meeting Rooms, 1000 West Moreno Street
Friday, February 12, 9 to10 a.m. seminar
Baptist Medical Park – Navarre, 2nd Floor Conference Room
Wednesday, February 17, refreshments 9:00 a.m.; 9:30 to10:30 a.m. seminar
Jay Hospital, Royal Room
Wednesday, February 24 - refreshments 8:30 a.m.; 9 to10 a.m. seminar
Atmore Community Hospital, Mayson Auditorium
Thursday, February 25 - lunch 11:30 a.m.; Noon to 1 p.m. seminar
Baptist Medical Park – Nine Mile Road and University Parkway, Azalea Room
To register for these programs, please call (850) 469-7897. Reservations are required.
The Stats
The American Heart Association estimates that 550,000 new cases of heart failure are reported annually. Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in both men and women, claiming a life every 34 seconds. Locally, Escambia County residents have an 11 percent higher rate of heart disease deaths compared to peer counties in the state of Florida.
Women and Heart Disease
Additional research by the American Heart Association shows that only 13 percent of women view heart disease as a health threat. However, one in three women die of heart disease whereas one in 30 women die of breast cancer. Additionally, 64 percent of women who died suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms.
For more education and resources on heart disease, visit www.eBaptistHealthCare.org or call Baptist Health Care at (850) 434-4080.
