A healthy heart is crucial to powering the human body, and a new outreach initiative providing the power of knowledge is furthering that goal.

In June, the Regional Medical Center introduced an online screening evaluation to the public called HeartAware. The quiz, originally used by the Byrne Health Care System in Denver to identify heart disease risk factors, takes between five and seven minutes to complete.

Those who find themselves at risk can schedule a series of free tests at RMC to measure cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure and body mass index. Current medications and family medical history are also evaluated.

RMC Community Outreach Manager Patricia Funderburk says state Department of Health and Environmental Control data shows that many people in Calhoun and Orangeburg counties have multiple health factors that put them at risk for heart disease.

"The response has been very good," Funderburk said. "Approximately 70 people have taken the online assessment (at trmchealth.org), and 55 of those have been screened.

"We bring patients in after the assessment and get them into the facility. The consultation record report is then printed out so they can take it to their physician. It gives the doctor the info we could gather to assess their risk for heart disease."

Funderburk says the major issues of obesity and smoking have been identified in both counties.

"The biggest find has been the readings of high bad cholesterol and low good cholesterol," Funderburk said. "Most are surprised. We've even had some people take the online evaluation, print out the findings and go straight to the doctor."

Dr. John Hutto, one of five cardiologists on staff at RMC, says finding heart disease early means heart attacks can often be prevented.

"Part of the issue with cardiovascular disease is that it can be silent," Hutto said. "Only 50 percent of the people who arrive in the emergency department with a heart attack have had symptoms prior to the heart attack."

Funderburk says the free HeartAware screening benefits those with or without medical insurance.

"The problem is a lot of people have insurance that will cover health issues but not cover health screenings," Funderburk said. "Those they have to pay for out of pocket. If people need to follow up on the risk factors identified through the free follow-up tests, insurance will pay for that."

RMC Vice President Brenda Williams served an integral role in bringing the HeartAware program to the hospital's arsenal of preventive measures.

"Heart disease is so prevalent in our community, and RMC is the community's chief advocate and resource for promoting prevention and a healthier lifestyle," Williams said. "Our goal is to continually enhance the resources and services available for contributing to a healthier community."

For more information about Heart-Aware, call RMC's Community Outreach at 803-395-2698.

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T&D Staff Writer Phil Sarata can be reached by e-mail at psarata@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5540. Discuss this

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