This February, Powell Valley Healthcare wants to help raise awareness about the importance of caring for your heart and heart disease prevention. Cardiologist Dr. Brian Kelly and the PVHC Cardiology Clinic are offering free electrocardiogram (EKG) tests on several days this month. The tests will give community members the opportunity to establish a baseline screening of their heart.

The dates and times for the free screenings are from 2-4 p.m. Feb. 10, 11, 24 and 25.  To schedule an appointment, call the clinic at 307-754-7257.

“Appointment slots are limited so don’t hesitate to call,” said PVHC spokesman Jim Cannon.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and the American Heart Association, heart disease is the number one cause of death for Americans. Heart disease causes one in four deaths for men and one in five deaths for women. There are several types of heart disease, with the most common being coronary artery disease or build-up of plaque in your arteries. The CDC says someone having a heart attack may experience several symptoms, including: chest pain or discomfort that doesn’t go away after a few minutes; pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back; weakness, light-headedness, nausea (feeling sick to your stomach), or a cold sweat; pain or discomfort in the arms or shoulder; and shortness of breath.

“If you think that you or someone you know is having a heart attack, call 911 immediately,” said Cannon. “Half of the men who die suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms. Even if you have no symptoms, you may still be at risk for heart disease.”

For women, heart attack symptoms can be different. According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, women are somewhat less likely than men to experience chest pain. Instead, they are more likely to experience: dizziness, fatigue, nausea, pressure or tightness in the chest, and stomach pain. 

“Again, call 911 right away if you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of a heart attack,” Cannon said.

As part of its efforts to raise awareness about heart disease and prevention, PVHC will be recognizing February as American Heart Month and Go Red for Women. On Friday, PVHC staff will wear red as part of National Wear Red Day and “we would like to encourage the community to join us,” Cannon said.

“Preventing heart disease is a challenge for all of us,” he added. “Some things that we can all do include: eating a heart-healthy diet, being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, knowing and managing your heart health numbers, getting quality sleep, not smoking and reducing stress.” 

Those with concerns about their heart health or with a family history of heart disease can schedule an appointment with Dr. Kelly by calling 307-754-7257.