University Healthcare Announces Heart Month Activities

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. – Heart disease, including stroke, is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States.  February is American Heart Month and National Women’s Heart Health Month.  In recognition, University Healthcare is sponsoring several programs throughout the month to educate the community on how to live a heart-healthy lifestyle.

Jefferson Medical Center and Berkeley Medical Center will be offering free blood pressure screenings in the main lobbies of each hospital from 9 until 11 am on Thursday, February 12 and 26.

On Tuesday, February 17, University Healthcare and the WVU Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center Eastern Division will sponsor a community mini-medical school program on heart disease.  The presentation is titled Healing the Heart of the Family: Women and Coronary Artery Disease.

 The guest speaker is Don Mishra, MD, a cardiologist with University Cardiovascular Associates in Martinsburg.  Dr. Mishra is an assistant professor at the WVU School of Medicine, and board certified in Cardiovascular Disease, Interventional Cardiology and Nuclear Cardiology.

The mini-medical school program will be held in the Health Sciences Center auditorium from 7 – 8 pm with registration beginning at 6:30 pm.  To reserve a seat in advance, phone 304.264.1287, ext. 31760.

Following the mini-medical school presentation, tours of Berkeley Medical Center’s cardiac cath lab will be offered.  Cardiovascular services at Berkeley Medical Center were expanded in 2014 to include a second lab dedicated to device implants (pacemakers, implantable cardiac defibrillators) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Also on February 17, University Healthcare will offer its monthly heart and stroke prevention screening program.  The testing includes a cholesterol screening, carotid ultrasound (CIMT) and rhythm evaluation all for a fee of $50. 

Family history, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and physical inactivity are all risk factors for both heart disease and stroke.  “It is well documented that the risks of both diseases can be lowered or prevented with a few simple tests,” stated Lynette Dalton, RN, director of cardiovascular services at University Healthcare and co-director of the screening program along with Philip J. O’Donnell, MD, FACP, board certified cardiologist.

According to Dalton, screening dates are set for the third Tuesday of every month through June.  All testing will be performed in the cath lab at Berkeley Medical Center and an appointment is necessary because of limited space.   For more information or to schedule an appointment, phone 304.596.5750.

All of these February heart month activities and programs are being offered as a community service of University Healthcare.  For more information, contact the marketing department at 304.263.1223 or visit www.wvuniversityhealthcare.com.