Have you ever wondered how we chose what is included in our “Heart Health” Screening that we conduct during our health fairs? It’s designed specifically to address the number one cause of death in our area: heart disease. Your risk of heart disease is affected by a variety of factors, including cholesterol, diabetes, blood pressure, weight, and physical activity. Sometimes, other conditions can also affect the heart or can make diagnosing heart disease more difficult. Our heart health screening also addresses those.
Did you know? In the United States, someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds.
CDC HEART DISEASE FACTS
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and certain interventions that lower cholesterol can reduce the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. It is recommended that all men over age 35 and all women over age 45 be screened for high cholesterol.
If you have a family history or other risk factors for heart disease, like diabetes or obesity, you should be screened as early as age 20. Our heart health screening includes a full lipid panel.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is another contributor to heart disease. Elevated blood pressure causes changes to the heart muscle and damage to blood vessels all around the body, including in our eyes, kidneys, and more. High blood pressure is easily treatable with medications. Weight loss and exercise also help.
Every adult should be screened for high blood pressure at least once. Current guidelines recommends yearly screenings for adults over 40 years old, or for 18 and up with other risk factors (high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity). Between 18 and 40 years, every 3-5 years is adequate for screening purposes. Our heart health screening includes a blood pressure examination.
Diabetes
About 9% of Americans have diabetes, and over 30% are obese. Diabetes is a condition in which the sugar (glucose) in the blood is too high. The sugar causes extensive damage to blood vessels, which then impacts almost every bodily organ, including the heart.
The USPSTF recommends that overweight or obese adults aged 35 to 70 should be screened periodically for diabetes using either an A1c or fasting blood sugar test. Our heart health screening includes an A1c test, which gives a more accurate long-term blood sugar estimate.
Other Screenings Offered at the Health Fair
Vitamin D
The USPSTF currently does not recommend routine screening for asymptomatic individuals for vitamin D deficiency. However, we find that vitamin D deficiency is very common in Dent County residents and can worsen other conditions. It is easily addressed with vitamin D supplementation. For these reasons, we offer Vitamin D screening as an add-on.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Anemia is often a complicating factor for heart disease. A complete blood count can easily identify anemia.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
A CMP will provide a second data point for blood sugar to help determine the accuracy of the A1c test. This can also help identify any kidney damage that may have occurred due to previously undetected high blood pressure or diabetes and will assist your provider in making treatment decisions if your screening tests come back indicating high blood pressure or diabetes.
For people already taking medications and coming for annual screening, liver function tests will help screen for adverse effects of medications.
Thyroid
Blood pressure and cardiovascular issues can be affected by thyroid function. This test is provided as an optional add on to assist your provider in understanding your full condition should your other tests be positive.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Though not a part of the heart health screening, we also offer free STI testing at our health fairs. The recommendations below are from the CDC’s STD screening recommendations.
Chlamydia & Gonorrhea
All sexually active women younger than 25 should be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia yearly, and if they become pregnant. Sexually active gay or bisexual men should be tested at least once a year.
Did you know? DCHC offers free treatment for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.
HIV
Everyone should be tested for HIV at least once between the ages of 13 and 64. Additionally, screening for HIV during pregnancy is recommended. Gay or bisexual men, injection drug users, or others who engage in higher risk sexual activities should be screening for HIV one to four times per year.
Syphilis
Gay or bisexual men and pregnant women should be screened for syphilis.
Lead
Dent County is a high risk area for lead poisoning. Lead causes a variety of detrimental effects, especially in children. Children under age 4 should be screened yearly on their birthday for elevated blood lead. During the Health Fair, we offer walk in fingerstick lead screening.
Adults in our area, particularly those who are exposed to lead in their jobs should be screened periodically for elevated blood lead.
Narcan and Plan B
Though not a screening, during the Health Fair we will be offering free Narcan and Plan B for anyone interested. We recommend everyone to have easy access to Narcan in order to quickly and safely reverse an opioid overdose. Plan B is an easy way to prevent a pregnancy after unprotected sex when taken within 72 hours.
Immunizations
Vaccines are another important preventative measure. Depending on the time of year, vaccines are offered at our health fair.
Summary
The services offered at our Health Fairs are targeted toward the needs of our community. Our next health fair is May 3rd, 2024, from 7am to 1pm, at the Dent County Health Center. We are located at 1010 E. Scenic Rivers Blvd, Salem, Missouri. If you’re in need of any of the screenings above, come on by! Wait times go down significantly after 9am. We hope to see you there!
