Texas County Memorial Hospital is offering a new, expanded screening for heart health and diabetes in lieu of its traditional cholesterol screening. The Heart Health and Diabetes Screening is open to all area residents from 7 until 11 a.m. Feb. 15 at the Houston storm shelter.
The screening costs $15 and includes blood pressure check, pulse check, heart health assessment, complete lipid panel (for cholesterol), diabetes risk assessment and hemoglobin A1c.
TCMH offers the annual screening in recognition of National Heart Month, designated by the American Heart Association. The AHA estimates that 1.1 million Americans have heart disease. According to the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services, heart disease is the leading cause of death and chronic disease in Texas County.
The risk factors for heart disease can be divided into two categories: risk factors that can be controlled and risk factors that cannot be controlled. Elevated cholesterols levels are in the controllable category. If an individual knows what his or her cholesterol level is, they can take actions to control the level of their cholesterol. These actions include diet modifications, exercise and medication prescribed by a physician.
Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in the bloodstream. Some cholesterol is healthy, but too much cholesterol can lead to heart disease. It is recommended that everyone age 20 and older have their cholesterol checked at least every five years. A physician may direct their patient for more frequent screening.
The recommended blood test for checking cholesterol is the lipid panel. The lipid panel will indicate the total cholesterol; HDL (good cholesterol); LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides. TCMH will utilize this type of test in the Feb. 15 screening.
The hemoglobin A1c test will measure the average blood glucose level for the past three months. Glucose, or sugar, is found in the bloodstream. Glucose is the main source of energy used by the body.
Insulin is a hormone that helps the body use and control the amount of glucose in the bloodstream. Insulin is produced in the pancreas and released into the blood when the amount of glucose in the blood rises.
Blood glucose levels that remain high over time can damage eyes, kidneys, nerves, blood vessels and lead to diabetes. Healthcare providers use a fasting hemoglobin A1c test to measure blood glucose after an individual has not eaten for at least eight hours. This test is commonly used to check for diabetes and has become the preferred blood glucose test of many healthcare providers.
To ensure the most accurate results for the cholesterol and hemoglobin A1c, participants are asked to avoid eating or drinking for eight hours prior to having their blood drawn for the screening. In addition to the lipid panel and hemoglobin A1c, each screening participant will receive an information packet about cholesterol, heart disease and diabetes.
The screening is on a first-come-first-served basis; no appointments will be taken. Results will be mailed to participants within two weeks of the screening.
The Houston Storm Shelter is at First and Pine streets in downtown Houston.
Medicare recipients can receive a cholesterol and hemoglobin A1c test such as the one provided at the screening, but they will need to get this test through their healthcare provider. TCMH will not be billing Medicare or any insurer for the screening.
For additional information, contact Libby Waterson, education director at TCMH, 866-967-3311 or 417-967-3311, ext. 340 or e-mail libby@tcmh.org.