St. Vincent's Heart Health to Hit the Trumbull Mall Saturday

(Taken from a press release) St. Vincent's Medical Center will hold its 7th  Annual Heart Health Fair at Westfield Trumbull on Saturday, February 16 from 10:00am - 2:00pm at the shopping center’s 5065 Main Street location, on the upper level in the Lord and Taylor Courtyard. The event is open to the public at no cost and represents a joint effort between St. Vincent’s and Westfield Trumbull to increase community wellness in recognition of Heart Month.

Dr. Kathleen Harper, Co-Medical Director of Women at Heart and cardiologist affiliated with  St. Vincent’s, states that “my goal is to raise awareness in the community about heart disease risk factors and to offer a variety of prevention and treatment options in an informative, convenient and entertaining way.”  Paul Sabina, Marketing Director of Westfield Trumbull, says,   “We at Westfield Trumbull are happy to partner with St. Vincent’s once again to improve our community’s health and wellness.”

Prior to the fair opening at 10 a.m, there will be a kickoff fitness walk around the mall beginning at 9:15am led by St. Vincent's President/CEO Susan L. Davis, RN, EdD, and Dr. Harper.  The public is encouraged to join in the walk.

The fair will offer free blood pressure screenings, services, information and exhibits.  The event features a giant medical inflatable of a heart, giving area adults and children the opportunity to walk through this life-size exhibit, hear realistic heart sounds and learn about the anatomy and function of this vital organ. 

Participants will be able to ask questions on heart disease and wellness at booths staffed by St. Vincent’s medical professionals such as  “Ask the Doctor,” “Ask the Nutritionist,” and “ Ask the Diabetes Educator.”  A new feature this year will involve demonstrations by exercise experts from “New Road Fitness,” a medically integrated fitness center opening in Trumbull in April. Representatives will display how the latest “Key” technology can help fitness center members monitor and record their movements and implement a personal exercise plan to suit their levels. 

Additionally, representatives from the Regina L. Cozza Women at Heart program at St. Vincent’s will be on hand to illustrate how heart disease in women differs from patterns in men.  There will be an information table which will include heart health information for the Spanish speaking community.

Hosted by St. Vincent’s Elizabeth M. Pfriem Center for Cardiac and Cardiovascular Disease,  the event aims to spread awareness of cardiovascular disease risk factors, prevention and treatment options by teaching area residents to focus on overall health and wellness strategies, rather than simply changing habits after an unwanted diagnosis.

For more information about the Heart Health Fair, call Sue Casso, RN at 203-576-6119 or visit www.stvincents.org/events 

For information on St. Vincent’s cardiac services or referral to a cardiac physician, please call the toll-free Care Line at 1-877-255-SVHS (7847) or visit www.stvincents.org/heart.