Heart Cart Visits IU Health Starke Hospital, Offers $50 Screenings

 It may be Valentine’s Day, but that doesn’t mean that your heart being aflutter is necessarily healthy. Play it safe and consider undergoing a cardiovascular screening by visiting the Heart Cart, which has announced that they will be providing discount screenings at IU Health Starke Hospital on Wednesday, Feb. 20 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. CT in the second floor conference room.

Laura Gould, marketing representative for IU Health Starke Hospital, said the Heart Cart is providing this service at an even lower cost – only $50 will cover a variety of tests that would normally run upwards of $1200. Participants may pay by cash, check, money order, or credit card, but in order to offer this service at a discount to the community, the hospital will be unable to bill insurance for the services, requiring participants to pay in full.

Gould explained this is a great opportunity to undergo a screening, which is recommended by the American Heart Association as early as age 20.

“For the most part, a lot of people wouldn’t know that they were at risk until it was too late. By being able to identify your risk factors at an earlier stage, then prevention is possible. We have had, in fact even in the Starke community, we had someone who came through the heart cart and during the screening, a serious problem was identified. They got a hold of the cardiologist, the cardiologist had him in the cath lab and ready to go, and saved this gentleman’s life,” said Gould. (2-13-13 – Gould – Heart Cart)

All residents of Starke County are encouraged to take advantage of the visiting Heart Cart to undergo screens for abnormal heart rhythm, abdominal aortic aneurysm, blood pressure, fasting cholesterol and glucose levels, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, poor leg circulation, stroke, and weight. For another $39, participants can schedule a Vertical Auto-Profile cholesterol screening.

Anyone with a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes could greatly benefit from this screening, as well as those who are overweight, smoke, lack exercise or lead sedimentary lifestyles.

Registration is required. Call (800) 235-6204 ext. 2626 to register or for more information.