How healthy is your heart?

In honor of National Heart Month, the Mercy H.E.A.R.T. (Health Enhancement And Rehabilitative Therapy) Center is hosting a free and interactive event on Tuesday, February 21 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The event is open to the public and people of all ages are welcome to attend.

Those attending the event will have the opportunity to participate in a number of activities to evaluate their heart health. Booths will be set up throughout the Mercy H.E.A.R.T. Center, each offering a different activity. Attendees will tour the booths to receive a blood pressure screening, a body fat analysis, a fitness evaluation, a lung function test, and a heart failure assessment—completely free of charge.

Information about heart healthy diets, fitness equipment and other programs will be available. And a complete cholesterol/lipid profile will also be offered for a $15 fee. Professional healthcare providers from the Mercy H.E.A.R.T. Center will staff the event.

Clinical pharmacists will be onsite that evening to review medications with attendees. They will evaluate the medications people are taking to ensure the right dose is being taken at the right time. For this evaluation, attendees are asked to bring their medications with them in a bag.

The highlight of the event will be a lecture provided by local cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Eric Hoenicke. He will discuss bypass surgery and the technological advances that are being made in the area of open heart surgery. The surgeons will also be available for questions. The lecture is slated to begin at 6:30 p.m.

The purpose of this event is to educate the community about the importance of heart health while providing the tools necessary for people to lead a healthy lifestyle.

For more information about this event call the Mercy H.E.A.R.T. Center at (231) 672-3648. Registration for this event is not required.

Media are welcome to attend the event. For additional details contact Kelly Kurburski at 231-672-4885.