Piedmont Medical Center observes American Heart Month

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 Piedmont 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 Piedmont and its sister hospitals as part of a nationwide 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 Charlie Miller, president and CEO. “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.”  

Free blood pressure screenings offered    

In support of “Focus on the Heart,” Piedmont is sponsoring free blood pressure screenings at the:

•  YMCA on Charlotte Avenue in Rock Hill Tuesday, Feb. 5 from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m.
•  YMCA at Baxter Village Monday, Feb. 18 from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. and from 5 to 7:30 a.m.
•  Leroy Springs Recreation Complex Thursday, Feb. 21 from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. and from 5:30 to 7:30 a.m.    

According to the American Heart Association, people 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. Piedmont is providing free booklets to the public on cholesterol, diabetes, heart attack and recovery, high blood pressure, men and heart disease, and women and heart disease. For copies, call (803) 329-1234 and press 2.  

The number one killer of men and women

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.

 Top 10 ways to Focus on the Heart

Tips for lowering your cholesterol

High blood pressure facts

 Risk Assessments

Calculators