Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle celebrates Heart Month during February by offering the public a special reduced price screening for heart disease while also generating needed funding for nonprofit organizations in Lowndes County.
The HeartScore screening will be offered for $50, with $25 donated to the Lowndes County United Way. The remaining $25 will cover the fee for the radiologist to read the test. The screenings are by appointment in the hospital’s Outpatient Pavilion from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday Feb. 11, 18 and 25. United Way volunteers will be present each screening day to accept the donation prior to sign-in. Only cash or check made out to the Lowndes County United Way will be accepted, and no insurance will be filed.
A HeartScore is a painless, non-invasive CT scan that takes images of the heart to detect the presence of calcium deposits in the coronary arteries. The more coronary calcium means the greater likelihood of narrowing in the coronary system and a higher risk of a future heart attack.
About the test
The scan requires no preparation, shots, treadmills or dyes. It requires being in the scan room about five minutes with the scan itself taking just a few seconds while participants lie on their back and hold their breath, explained Baptist Radiology Director Tom Bailey.
If calcium is present, the computer will create a calcium score that estimates the extent of coronary artery disease. The results will be examined by the radiologist. Results will be provided by mail. Follow-up referrals will be made, if necessary, Bailey added.
The test is recommended for those aged 35 and older and who do not have a known history of heart disease.
Risk factors for heart disease include those who have a family history of heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes or high blood pressure; are overweight; have high stress levels; and with an inactive lifestyle.
By pairing the screening with the $25 donation to the Lowndes County United Way, Baptist Golden Triangle is helping the community in two ways, said Administrator Paul Cade. “We hope the screening increases awareness of the dangers of heart disease and encourages people to be proactive about their heart health,” he said. “But, we are also happy that by combining the test with a donation to Lowndes County United Way, we are helping to support agencies in the community that touch all of us in one way or another during our lives,” Cade added.
“United Way is so grateful to be the beneficiary of BMH-GT’s HeartScore screening, said Lowndes County United Way Executive Director Danny Avery. “People who get the screening will not only benefit from learning about their heart health, they will also be supporting United Way funded organizations and programs that serve Columbus and Lowndes County. We encourage everyone to call the screening appointment desk for an appointment for their own health and for a healthy quality of life in our community,” he added
To schedule a HeartScore screening, call 662-244-2979 or 800-544-8762, ext. 2979 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
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