Fairmont, WV, the Regional Medical Center Turns Red for Women and Raises Awareness of Heart Disease | New

FAIRMONT – Hoping to expand community knowledge about heart disease in women, the Fairmont Regional Medical Center participated in Going Red for Women Tuesday morning, offering free screening sessions and lectures.

Becoming Red for Women is one of the many events held across the country during Heart Awareness Month for Women. Cathy Boyle, a Registered Nurse in the Fairmont Region, said that although the disease is not often seen as affecting women, it remains a very real threat.

"Many women do not realize that they are as vulnerable to heart problems as men," Boyle said. "We still think it's a male problem, but it's not. We try to make sure they understand what are the risk factors, how to get tested and what to do to prevent heart attacks, heart problems and strokes. "

For this reason, Boyle stated that the hospital wanted to organize its own event to specifically address women in the community and let them know where and how to get help or information.

"Men are slightly more likely to have a heart attack and we just think it's a male-dominated problem, because that's what society has described," Boyle said. . "But that's not really the case. As women, we do not know these things. We think "it can not happen to me". So we try to make sure people understand that it can happen to them. "

Throughout the morning, a series of information conferences was held in the downtown conference room in Hamilton.

"Medical discussions are about knowing what heart medicines are, what to eat for a healthy diet for the heart, how to exercise for a healthy lifestyle, and … about risk factors," said Boyle.

Jordan Pickens, the clinical pharmacist at the hospital, gave an example. Pickens talked about the importance of taking and understanding his heart medications.

"I want to talk to people about their medications," said Pickens. "I want them to know more about their medications so they can play a more active role in their health. If patients know more about their medications, they can defend themselves, be more active and more willing to work to be healthier, feel better and live better. "

Pickens said that there were often misconceptions about cardiac medicine, some patients accidentally doubling their doses do not understand exactly how their drug works. The biggest problem, however, is the habit of patients to stop treatment.

"A big part of the problem is compliance," said Pickens. "Many people do not take their medications as they are supposed to do. They start to feel better or say, "My blood pressure is low. I do not need this medicine anymore. "They stop taking it and they find the problems of high blood pressure that put them at the origin. & # 39;

In addition to lectures, hospital staff provided free ECG testing, as well as carotid artery and blood pressure screening. Boyle said that thanks to the pre-registration, the hospital had given more than 50 screenings throughout the event.

"We are complete, so we take the names for a second selection event for those who could not enter," Boyle said. "We certainly want to filter everyone who is available to do it."

Boyle said 25 people have already registered for screenings at a later date and encouraged other members of the community to do the same.

"We would select 300, 400 or 500 people if they were willing to participate and do what was needed," Boyle said. "We are trying to reach the community and keep everyone healthy and strong."