Heart Month has McDowell folks seeing red

Credit: By Mike Conley

Registered Nurse Kathy Silver demonstrates one of the exercise machines at The McDowell Hospital.

By: Mike Conley | McDowell News
Published: February 03, 2010

February is American Heart Month and The McDowell Hospital wants to let folks know about how important it is to have a healthy heart.
Every year since 1963, the president of the United States has issued a proclamation to help raise public awareness of heart disease. Cardiovascular diseases, including strokes, are the No. 1 killer of Americans. And although most people associate heart disease with men, it's also the No. 1 cause of death among women in the United States, according to the Web site for the American Heart Association.
Friday is also National Wear Red Day. On that day, Americans nationwide wear red to show their support for women's heart disease awareness. This observance promotes the Red Dress symbol and provides an opportunity for everyone to unite in this life-saving awareness movement by showing off a favorite red dress, shirt, or tie, or Red Dress Pin. It is part of the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women effort.
The McDowell Hospital in Marion will observe National Wear Red Day by encouraging its employees to wear red in support of women's heart disease awareness, said Linda Cloherty, community relations director.
In addition, the hospital plans to hold a series of community forums this month to spread awareness of heart disease and how it can be prevented.
Statistics show that McDowell County has a lot of risk factors for heart disease, including high rates for blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. Other risk factors are smoking and family history. A state study from 2006 shows McDowell County's rate for cardiovascular and circulatory diseases was above North Carolina's rate for those diseases. The county's rate for heart disease in 2006 was also above that of the state's rate. However, McDowell's rate for heart disease deaths was below the state's rate in 2006.
To get the word out, Ruth Hullett, developmental specialist with the hospital, has planned six community forums about heart disease.
The first will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8 at the First United Methodist Church of Marion. The second will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9 at St. John's Episcopal Church. A third forum is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16 at Grace Community Church.
Two forums are planned for Monday, Feb. 22. One will be held at the McDowell County Senior Center at 11 a.m. while the second is planned to start at noon at the Corpening Memorial YMCA.
Another forum will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24 at the A.C. "Bud" Hogan Community Center in Old Fort.
Hullett said the forums will cover strokes, heart attacks and other forms of the disease. Folks will also find out what they can do to lower their risks. A health team of physicians, physician assistants and hospital employees will lead these forums.
The leaders will cover what is called "Know Your Numbers." The five essential numbers that people need to be aware of include their blood pressure, cholesterol, fasting glucose (or blood sugar), body mass index (BMI) and the circumference of their waists.
While it may be easy to know if you are overweight, some risk factors are not so obvious.
"These five numbers don't necessarily show up just because you are overweight," said Hullett. "There are hidden health risks."
All forums are free and open to the public. More could be held if a local organization or group would like to arrange for one to be scheduled. Hullett said interested folks could call her if they would like to have one scheduled.
"We are happy to do that," she said.
For more information, contact Ruth Hullett at 659-5138.

Heart Month has McDowell folks seeing red

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