Daniel E. vanBuren, M.D., Director of Cardiovascular Medicine at the New England Heart Institute at Androscoggin Valley Hospital, Berlin, NH, returns to Bethel during American Heart Month to present an important program to give people a better understanding of cholesterol.

His program takes place on Thursday, Feb. 6, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Bethel Congregational Church, 52 Church Street, Bethel, with a snow date of Feb. 13, sponsored by To Your Health of Western Mountains Senior College.  Over the past two years, Dr. vanBuren presented two programs in Bethel on heart disease, both of which were very well received.

Dr. vanBuren said, “High Cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease and a sign that the blood fats that can cause heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases are higher than they should be.”  In his talk entitled, “Fat Facts About Your Blood Chemistry and What You Can Do About It,” he will discuss cholesterol, why it is important and how it is measured, covering HDL vs LDL, triglycerides, numbers to aim for, and foods that may reduce these numbers.  He will also discuss whether there is a known link between cholesterol and dementia.  He will allow time for questions and will have handouts available.

Dr. vanBuren is well qualified to address the topic of heart disease.  He is board certified in internal medicine, adult echocardiography, nuclear cardiology and cardiovascular disease.  He is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology.  He completed his internal medicine and cardiology training in Brooklyn, N.Y., and now resides in Bethel, Maine.

This program is sponsored as a community service by To Your Health of Western Mountains Senior College with the collaboration of Bethel Family Health Center and MSAD#44/Continuing Education.  The public is invited and admission is free.  Light refreshments available.  Spring programs to be offered by To Your Health include the following:  “Spring into Spring with Colorful Foods: A diet rich in colors will insure a wide variety of Nutrients,” on March 6, with speaker Cathi DiCocco, and “From Sneezes to Kegals, Issues with Urinary Gynecological Health” on April 3, with speaker, Cathy Heffernan, CNM.  For more information, call Rosabelle Tifft at 824-2053.