Lakewood Regional Medical Center supports 'Focus on the Heart' campaign

With approximately one death occurring every 36 seconds from cardiovascular disease, Americans need to find a way to beat the odds. That premise is the impetus behind Lakewood Regional Medical Center's new campaign, which encourages the community to "Focus on the Heart" by undergoing regular screenings and adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle.

"Focus on the Heart" was created by Lakewood Regional Medical Center as part of a campaign to promote early detection and testing that could save the lives of the approximately one in three Americans who suffer from some form of cardiovascular disease.

"We chose 'Focus on the Heart' because patients have to keep making their heart health a priority," said Joe Badalian, President and CEO of Lakewood Regional Medical Center. "This is not about a once-a-year test; it's about knowing your risk factors and thinking about all the ways to keep your heart beating strong on a daily basis.

In support of "Focus on the Heart," Lakewood Regional Medical Center will be offering a $39.00 Heart-Health Screening Exam with EKG. The Screening includes: Electrocardiogram (EKG) read by a cardiologist, Lipid test, including HDL, LDL, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, Glucose level check, Blood pressure check, and a Health Risk assessment. To make an appointment call 877-590-7064. Cash, check or credit card only, no insurance accepted or filed for this special screening.

You can also take Lakewood Regional Medical Center's free online, heart disease risk assessment test, HeartAware by going to www.focusOnTheHeart.net

It takes about seven minutes and you can learn about your risk for heart attack and other cardiac diseases.

According to the American Heart Association, individuals age 50 and over can potentially add eight to 11 years to their lives by addressing six key risk factors: smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.  Regular screenings are an important part of determining one's risk from several of these factors.  More than 450,000 Americans will die this year alone just from coronary heart disease, the principal type of cardiovascular disease and another 150,000 – about one of every 16 deaths nationwide – will die of stroke.  Cardiovascular disease is the nation's No. 1 killer of men and women alike and claims more lives every year than cancer, chronic lower respiratory diseases, accidents and diabetes mellitus combined.