JENNI DILLON Star-Tribune staff writer | Posted: Wednesday, February 16, 2005 12:00 am
Wal-Mart and Sam's Club will offer free Healthy Heart screenings from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Cholesterol and blood pressure screenings will be available in the pharmacy section of both stores. No appointments are necessary.
Representatives from several pharmaceutical and food companies also will be at the stores from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to talk to shoppers about identifying, managing and reducing the risk factors for heart disease. Customers who fill a prescription for blood pressure or heart medications on Saturday also will receive a $10 Wal-Mart gift certificate.
The second annual Healthy Heart Community Event is part of American Heart Month, which is celebrated throughout February.
Lunch isn't all the Senior Center of Central Wyoming was offering visitors Tuesday.
Warren and Ruby Mead walked slowly into the Casper facility, ready for a little food and friendly conversation. But first, the couple stopped to check their health.
Sparing five minutes in a busy day, the couple sat down with medical professionals from the City of Casper-Natrona County Health Department and the University of Wyoming's pharmacy school to have their oxygen and blood pressure levels tested and to chat about their general health.
"We just occasionally do it to make sure we're still alive," joked Ruby Mead, who has had a hip and knee replaced and walks slowly with the help of two canes.
"I have low blood pressure, so that's always checked," added her husband, Warren.
Health professionals from various agencies make regular stops at the senior center to provide free health screenings to patrons, explained the center's clinical director, Mike Smith.
"We work closely with public health to run a series of blood pressure clinics so we can monitor folks and help them keep track of their own health," Smith said.
Public health nurses provide regular blood pressure and oxygen screenings and plan to add blood sugar tests to their offerings at senior centers throughout the county. Pharmacy students from UW also sometimes stop in at the centers to offer community service and practice their own patient assessment skills, Smith explained.
On Tuesday, the frequent visitors also had company from professionals from Wyoming Medical Center, who stopped by to offer seniors more health information for American Heart Month, celebrated throughout February.
Among the new products and services available to the seniors - and the public, at large - are pocket EKG cards, said Michele Holder, community development coordinator for the hospital.
The wallet-size cards contain a person's name and basic medical history, such as major medical problems, normal blood pressure rates and allergies. On the back of the card is a print out of the person's own electrocardiogram, which lets emergency responders know of any significant heart problems. Interested individuals can call 577-2445 for an appointment and card, Holder said.
Staff writer Jenni Dillon can be reached at (307) 266-0619 or Jenni.Dillon@casperstartribune.net.