Variety of free health screenings offered to catch heart problems before they start

River Park Hospital Heart Health Fair will feature a tour of the facility’s state-of-the-art cath lab. Pictured are, from left, circulator David Bradley, cath lab and ICU director Richie Lupo and nurse manager Ruchelle Steele. (Charles W. Johnson photo)

It is estimated there are 105 million Americans who have total blood cholesterol values of 200mg/dl and higher, and about 42 million adults have levels of 240 or above. In adults, total cholesterol levels of 240 or higher are considered high, and levels from 200 t0 239 are considered borderline.

In an effort to increase awareness of the importance of cholesterol screenings, and as a community service, River Park Hospital and the American Heart Association are offering a Heart Health Fair this Saturday, Feb. 21, from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the hospital.

Attendees will be offered an exclusive look at River Park’s state-of-the-art cardiac cath lab, and Centennial Heart Center will have a booth set up with information about Robotic Cardiac Surgery. Centennial, which is an affiliated facility of River Park, is the first hospital in Tennessee to perform this type of surgery.

River Park will be offering several types of tests free of charge during the health fair, including a cholesterol screening and glucose testing. Blood pressure will also be checked, and the fair will offer body weight and fat analysis, a cardiovascular fitness test, diabetes and nutritional information, stroke assessment and much more.

In addition, Dr. Dannie Glover will offer a skin cancer check.

“It is important that people understand and check any lesions they might have. Early detection of pre-cancerous skin cells is important,” said Dr. Glover.

Since space is limited, registration is required. To register, call 815-4300 or (800) 242-5662.

Those registering for the free cholesterol and glucose tests are required to fast for at least 12 hours before the screenings. You may drink water or black coffee prior to the screening. Test results will be mailed shortly after the fair.