For more information, contact: Judy Curtis, Scott & White 254-724-7758 Scott Clark, Scott & White Media Relations 254-724-9724 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 13, 2008

Scott & White offers free screening for early detection of heart disease
- HeartAware can uncover hidden risks -

TEMPLE, Texas —  Scott & White on Thursday will launch a free online program aimed at saving lives and preventing cardiovascular disease.

“This is our Valentine to the community,” said Dr. Catherine McNeal, co-director of the Women’s Cardiovascular Health Clinic at Scott & White. “We are hoping all adults will take the time now to identify their risk so they can avoid heart attacks, stroke and diabetes in the future.”

The HeartAware program, available only through Scott & White in the Central Texas area, is an interactive, online personal health risk questionnaire, also available in paper form, which takes less than seven minutes to complete.  Immediately after the online assessment, participants receive a personalized report that indicates their overall risk of developing cardiovascular disease, as well as ways to reduce it.

People whose test results indicate they are at risk for cardiovascular disease will be contacted to come to Scott & White for further tests. This involves a free, 30-minute consultation where blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar levels, family history and body mass index, among other things, are checked. Anyone found be to be risk will receive recommendations on improving their health.  In addition, they will be encouraged to contact their primary care physician, if desired.

Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women in the United States. Last year 750,000 people in this country died from heart disease, and almost half of those had no symptoms prior to the first signs of disease.

“We don’t want our first contact with our patients to be in the emergency department with a heart attack,” said McNeal. “Rather, we hope to keep them out of the ER and into healthy habits today. Our goal is to focus on the early detection and prevention of heart disease by getting everyone in the community to take the online test.”

Other programs at Scott & White available can help people stop smoking, lower their cholesterol and blood pressure, and lose weight. “It is never too late to get healthy and reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease,” said Dr. McNeal.

To take the online assessment, go to www.sw.org or call 254-724-0537 to receive an assessment in the mail.

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