McLaren Bay Region Celebrates American Heart Month with Community Education Events

BAY CITY, MICH – February is American Heart Month. Started in 1963, the annual event was officially designated to help educate Americans on heart disease, and to encourage them to join in on the fight against it. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. To help further the important mission of American Heart Month, McLaren Bay Region would like to announce a robust lineup of heart health-related community education events as well as a Heart Health and Stroke Screening:

February 3rd: Healthy Blood Pressure, Daniel Lee, MD 5:30 p.m.
Live on McLaren Bay Region’s Facebook Page
Every time your heart beats, it pumps blood through vessels, called arteries, to the rest of your body. Your blood pressure is how hard your blood pushes against the walls of the arteries. If your blood flows at higher-than-normal pressures, you may have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. High blood pressure is often called “the silent killer” because it doesn’t usually cause symptoms, but it can damage your body over time. The best way to protect yourself is to be aware of the risks while making changes that matter. Join Dr. Lee as he discusses healthy blood pressure and small steps that you can take to control it.

February 10th: Heart Disease Signs, Symptoms & Risk Factors, Gassan Alaouie, DO 5:30 p.m.
Live on McLaren Bay Region’s Facebook Page
The term “heart disease” refers to several types of heart conditions. The most common type is coronary artery disease, which affects the blood flow to the heart. Sometimes heart disease may not be diagnosed until a person experiences signs or symptoms of a heart attack, heart failure or an arrhythmia. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking are key risk factors for heart disease. Join Dr. Alaouie as he discusses heart disease and what you can do to recognize and reduce your risk for this condition.

February 17th: What’s New in Cardiology, Yousef Bader, MD 5:30 p.m.
Live on McLaren Bay Region’s Facebook Page
Join Dr. Bader as he provides an overview of some of the new offerings in cardiology, including minimally invasive procedures such as TAVR, MitraClip, and Watchmen.

February 18th: Heart Health & Stroke Screening 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Cost is $10
McLaren Bay Region East Side Medical Mall, 1454 Center Ave, Essexville 48732
Strokes and heart attacks don’t discriminate; they affect people of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds. Fortunately, many strokes and heart attacks are preventable, and you can take steps now to reduce your risk. Pre-registration is required by calling (989) 894-3000.

February 24th: What is Heart Failure? Sue Hafer, NP-C 5:30 p.m.
Live on McLaren Bay Region’s Facebook Page
The term “heart failure” makes it sound like the heart is no longer working at all and that there is nothing that can be done. In actuality, heart failure means that the heart isn’t pumping as well as it should be. Although heart failure is a serious condition, many people can lead a full, enjoyable life when the condition is managed. Join Nurse Practitioner, Sue Hafer, as she discusses heart failure symptoms, causes, risk factors, and treatment.

March 3rd: Arrhythmia Management, Tiffanee Wazny-Kohl, NP-C 5:30 p.m.
Live on McLaren Bay Region’s Facebook Page
Arrhythmia, also known as cardiac or heart arrhythmia, is a group of conditions in which the heartbeat is irregular, too fast, or too slow. Patients with arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation (AF) face an increased risk for stroke and heart failure, so early detection and treatment are important. The good news is that most arrhythmias can be effectively treated by medications, medical procedures such as inserting a pacemaker, or surgery. Join Nurse Practitioner, Tiffanee Wazny-Kohl, as she discusses arrhythmia management and why arrhythmias matter.

"We are excited to share important heart health education with the community during our upcoming Heart Education Series. Our hope is by providing this valuable information via Facebook Live events, we will be able to reach a wider audience," said Daniel Lee, MD, Interventional Cardiologist at McLaren. "In the future, we look forward to offering in-person as well as online attendance options for our community education. We may have had to adapt how we are relaying this important health information due to COVID-19, but the important message will remain the same."

Additionally, McLaren Bay Region is hosting a fundraiser on Friday, February 5, “Wear Red & Jeans.” Employees are encouraged to wear red as well as jeans for a small donation. The event coincides with National Go Red for Women Day, and all donations will benefit the American Heart Association.

To learn more about heart disease risk factors, click HERE or to find a cardiologist near you, click HERE.

For Heart Education Series information, click here.

For Heart Health & Stroke information, click here.