St. Patrick Hospital to Host Heart Expo on Saturday

On Saturday, February 22, St. Patrick Hospital will present their annual Heart Expo in conjunction with the International Heart Institute.

International Heart Institute official Gayle Walton described the event.

"It's a public-focused event to educate people about heart disease," Walton said. "Heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women. It's going to be both a fun day and an educational day."

The event runs from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., but people begin lining up for the low-cost blood and health testing as early as 6:30 a.m. There will be various lectures starting at 8 a.m. along with low-cost health screenings. Prostate (PSA) lab tests will be $10, as well as Thyroid (TSH) lab tests, and a Lipid/Glucose test will only be five dollars.

Walton emphasizes that people receiving blood testing must fast before they come to the expo.

"It's a fasting-draw," Walton said. "That's really something that needs to be emphasized. That means you shouldn't eat or drink anything besides plain coffee before you come. Then, following the blood draw, we'll have snacks and juice for everyone."

Along with the lectures by renowned heart specialists from the International Heart Institute, there will be informational tables set up with literature promoting heart health.

The event is free, and will be held in the St. Patrick Hospital Broadway Building from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 22.