LEWISTON – The Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute is sponsoring several events during February, the American Heart Association’s Heart Month.

Screening clinic

The institute will sponsor a cardiovascular risk screening clinic from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11, at the Victorian Villa, Route 108, Canton. The screening will be offered in the wellness van.

The free assessment will include a blood pressure check. cardiac risk screening and cholesterol screening. The cholesterol screen will be done by appointment and is limited to the first 50 registrants. Those interested in participating should call 795-2614 or e-mail jordand@cmhc.org.

The health care professionals will also offer a free osteoporosis screening. Sandra Bouchard, R.N., and Sharon Gates, R.N., of Rumford Hospital’s Cardiovascular Health Improvement Program will be on hand. Free health and wellness information and door prizes will be provided.

Family Fun Day

Central and western Maine residents are encouraged to celebrate heart month on Pleasant Mountain on Thursday, Feb. 24, going skiing and snowboarding with friends and family and learning about cardiac health.

Feb. 24 is Family Fun Day at Shawnee Peak. Activities will include a snow sculpture building contest, family fun ski races and an institute scavenger hunt.

The institute will sponsor a kiosk at the ski lodge from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., providing information to enhance awareness of heart health, good nutrition and exercise.

For more information, contact Donna Jordan, R.N., at 795-2614, or e-mail jordand@cmhc.org.

‘Heart to Heart’

The institute will host the fifth annual “A Heart to Heart” Heart Disease Conference from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 26, in the chairmen’s room on the ground floor of the 12 High Street Medical Office Building. The program will be telecast to Bridgton and Rumford hospitals. The free event is open to men and women.

The conference will begin at 8 a.m. with registration and a heart-healthy light breakfast buffet. At 8:45 a.m. cardiac case manager Donna Jordan, organizer, will introduce the day’s schedule as follows:

• “Risky Business: Managing Your Health,” 9 to 10 a.m. Susan Horton, executive director of the institute, will discuss how to identify risk factors that cause cardiovascular disease. She will present practical strategies for controlling and minimizing risk factors and lowering the risk of developing heart disease.

• “You Can’t Control the Rain, But You Can Stay Dry,” 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. Jeri Maurer, Central Maine Medical Center’s guest relations coordinator, will examine how someone can reduce stress and become more self-nurturing. Her discussion will offer insight into how individuals can take better care of themselves, improve their mood, enhance their immunity to sickness and feel more energetic.

• “Energy Tune-Up: Making Contact with Your Inner Healer,” 11:15 a.m. to noon. Victoria Coolidge, a personal health counselor at CMMC, will explain the difference between toning and cardiovascular workouts and demonstrate activities and exercises that can be done at home. Those wishing to participate should wear sneakers and light, loose fitting clothes so they can move.

Following the last presentation, a light lunch will be served.

The CMMC School of Nursing will offer free blood pressure checks to conference attendees.

For more information about the event or to register, people can contact Jordan, cardiac prevention and outreach, 795-2614, or e-mail jordand@cmhc.org.

To register for the Bridgton Hospital program, call Pam Smith at 647-6055. Anyone wishing to attend the Rumford Hospital presentation should call Jane Bubar at 369-1143.

Monthly visits

The institute is offering cardiovascular risk assessments on a monthly basis at Wal-Mart Supercenters in Augusta, Oxford, Windham and Mexico. The assessment includes a health evaluation that provides participants with information about their risks for developing heart disease.

After answering a series of questions regarding their health, family background and lifestyle habits, participants will be presented with a report outlining their specific risk factors for developing heart disease. The service includes free screenings for blood pressure and osteoporosis. Cholesterol testing is also available for a small fee.

The wellness van will visit the following locations from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Wal-Mart Supercenter. 201 Civic Center Drive, Augusta, first Tuesday of each month; Wal-Mart Supercenter, Route 26, Oxford, first Wednesday of each month; Wal-Mart Supercenter, 30 Landing Road, Windham, second Wednesday of each month; Wal-Mart Supercenter, 258 River Road, Mexico, fourth Wednesday of each month.

The institute is also offering assessments on a bimonthly basis at Hannaford Food and Drug in Rumford. The van will visit from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 16, May 18, July 20, Sept. 21 and Nov. 16.

Because scheduling disruptions occasionally occur, the van’s schedule can be checked by calling Jordan at 795-2614 or e-mailing her at jordand@cmhc.org.

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