According to 2024 statistics from the American Heart Association, more than 2,500 people in the United States die each day from cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death for both men and women. That means that, on average, heart disease takes a life in this country every 34 seconds.

February is American Heart Month, and Piedmont Macon Medical Center is hosting a “Healthy Heart Screening” on Thursday, Feb. 22 from 7 to 10 a.m. in Building C, Suite 120. The free event is open to the public, but reservations are required.

The heart screenings will include:

• A fasting lipid blood test to check cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose levels;

• Weight and body mass index checks;

• Hip-to-waist ratio checks;

• Blood pressure screenings.

“These screenings can provide basic facts that your doctor can use to evaluate and monitor your cardiovascular health,” said Debbie Bryan, director of Cardiovascular Services at Piedmont Macon.

“The goal of a regular screening is to help detect cardiovascular disease or another heart and vascular condition early, when it is in the most treatable stage,” she said. “Through regular health screenings, you can determine how issues like blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels are affecting your health.”

Piedmont Macon clinicians will be on site and available to answer questions at the Feb. 22 screening. Piedmont representatives will also be able to share information with attendees about stroke prevention, exercise, medication and nutrition.

Anyone interested in having bloodwork done at the event must fast (no food or drinks except water) beginning at midnight the night before. A medication list would be helpful for those who want to discuss their medications with the pharmacy team or a physician at the screening.

To register for an available slot, call 478.765.4801.

Piedmont Macon will also host a Heart Walk this month to promote cardiovascular health awareness. The community is invited to join Piedmont employees at either Piedmont Macon Medical Center or Piedmont Macon North Hospital at noon on Friday, Feb. 16 for a one-mile walk that will begin at the hospitals’ main entrances. The route will be confined to the hospitals’ campuses.