During American Heart Month (February) Western Missouri Medical Center (WMMC) is encouraging area residents to show their heart some love and learn their risks of heart disease.

Heart disease is the number one killer of women, causing one in three deaths among women each year, according to the American Heart Association.

Knowing your risks is the first step in combatting heart disease. WMMC offers heart scans for $50. This quick, safe and painless exam assesses your risk of heart disease and stroke by measuring the amount of calcium in the walls of arteries that supply the heart with blood. It is non-invasive and utilizes a computerized tomography (CT) scan that takes less than 30 minutes, enabling patients to work with their physician to take action when needed.

WMMC encourages community members to give the gift of preventative heart health this Valentine’s Day with a gift certificate for this screening, which can be purchased in the Diagnostic Imaging Department (located off the Outpatient Entrance).

Screenings are offered Monday­­ through Friday from 7:30 a.m.­­­­­ to 4 p.m. To schedule an appointment, call (660) 262-7370.

You may benefit from this exam if you:

·         Are a woman over the age of 50

·         Are a man over the age of 45

·         Have a family history of heart disease

·         Have high blood pressure

·         Are a smoker

·         Are at least 20 lbs overweight

·         Are diabetic

 

Celebrate American Heart Month with us and don’t miss this opportunity to spread awareness, get informed, and take preventative action! Remember, in February and every month of the year, WMMC is your partner for matters of the heart. To learn more about heart health, visit www.heart.org.

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