Dare to C.A.R.E. About Your Heart Health
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm), one out of every four deaths is related to heart disease. Too often, the majority of people with the disease are unaware of their risks. February is American Heart Month, and we’re highlighting local resources that can help you check on your heart health!
Dare to C.A.R.E. and Maryland Heart Health have joined forces to offer screening in every county in Maryland during Heart Health Month. Dare to C.A.R.E. is a free heart and vascular screening and education program. They work with the Heart Health Foundation and participating hospitals and organizations to offer free services within local communities.
We talked to Elaine Ferguson, director of Dare to C.A.R.E. and Heart Health Foundation, about the vascular screenings being offered within our community, and how those same screenings saved her life.
Elaine explained that Dare to C.A.R.E. is offering free vascular screenings in cities and towns across Maryland on February 4th. “Our vascular screenings consist of a sonogram of the carotid arteries on each side of the neck, the aorta in the abdomen and we check the blood flow in both of the legs,” Elaine explains. “We are looking for blockages in those areas. The screening is non-invasive and takes about 15 minutes.”
“These tests can help determine your likelihood of having a stroke or heart attack. The results also provide important information about what kinds of medications might be best to prevent a heart attack or stroke. If a person has an aorta that bursts, they will usually die within minutes. If through our screenings we find that the aorta is diseased or damaged, there are preventative measures that can be taken, and the person can go on to live a normal life,” Elaine explains.
Elaine’s own experience with vascular screening shows just how valuable the program can be. “I went in for the screening a few years ago mainly to get my husband screened because his father died of vascular disease. I was in my mid 50’s with no risk factors. I learned that one of my carotid arteries was 99% blocked. I thought there had to be a mistake. I had no symptoms. Two weeks later I had surgery to remove the plaque. I am alive and well today due to the Dare to C.A.R.E. screening. It was a stroke waiting to happen. The program became my passion, and Dr. John Martin, AAMC vascular surgeon, asked me to become a volunteer. A year later he asked me to run the program. I’ve been the director since and have seen hundreds of lives saved through our program!
Screenings are available for those over 60 and those over 50 with a risk factor such as smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Dare to C.A.R.E. will be on Kent Island at Chesapeake Imaging in Stevensville and Shore Medical Group in Chestertown. To schedule an appointment, call 410-573-9483.
If you would like to learn more or see a full list of locations you can go to their website at www.hearthealthymaryland.com/screening-sites. Elaine hopes to do more screenings like these in the future. “We have had such an overwhelming response for appointments for the February 4th screenings that we have been asked by many locations if we can continue screenings in their area. Dr. Martin’s and my goal is to have an ongoing screening in every county in Maryland and not just on February 4. It is our goal to continue to educate the public about vascular disease and continue to screen those at risk!”
Local Heart Health Services
University of Maryland Shore Regional Health – diagnostic services assess health of your heart, lungs and blood vessels. For heart healthy tips and to sign up for Heart Health & Wellness Tips: https://www.umms.org/crm/heart-disease-fy22?hcmacid=a0f5c00000FX5Lk&utm_campaign=UMMS_Heart_Disease_FY22&utm_medium=Referral&utm_content=UMMS_Heart_Disease_FY22_SRHSignUp.
Ongoing – WELLNESS CLASSES – Slide presentation tutorials: diabetes, quit smoking, weight loss, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma. Free, on line. Edward’s Pharmacy. www.edwardspharmacy.com.
3rd Tuesdays – COMMUNITY WELLNESS ages 55+-screenings: blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, pulse. 10am-1pm. KI Senior Center. 410-604-3801.
1st Wednesdays – DARE TO C.A.R.E. Vascular Screenings by appt only. 9am-12N. Chesapeake Imaging, 130 Love Point Rd, Stevensville. 410-573-9483.
3rd Wednesday – WELLNESS SCREENING ages 55+-Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Glucose, Pulse. 9am-12N. Grasonville Senior Ctr. 410-827-6010.
1st Thursday – WELLNESS CHECK -blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, pulse. 9am-1pm. Sudlersville Senior Ctr. 410-438-3159.
Feb 4 – CARDIOVASCULAR SCREENING DAY by Heart Health Foundation and Dare to CARE for ages 60+or age 50+ w/vascular risk factors. Includes risk questionnaire, blood pressure, ultrasound of carotid arteries, abdominal aorta & peripheral arteries. 8am-4:30pm. 2 locations: Shore Medical Group, 100 Brown St, 3rd Flr, Chestertown; Chesapeake Imaging, 130 Love Point Rd, Suite 105, Stevensville. 410-573-9483.
Feb 14, Mar 14, Apr 11, May 9 – COMMUNITY WELLNESS CLINIC provided by QAC Dept of Health. Screenings-blood pressure, pulse, glucose, cholesterol. 2-4pm. Centreville Branch Library. 410-758-0980.
Mar 14, May 9 – COMMUNITY WELLNESS CLINIC provided by QAC Dept of Health. Screenings-blood pressure, pulse, glucose, cholesterol. 2-4pm. KI Branch Library. 410-643-8161.
The QAC Department of Health Community Wellness program provides wellness screenings at different locations throughout our county. The screenings include blood pressure, pulse, total cholesterol and blood glucose (sugar) readings. The screenings are free and results can be sent to the individual’s primary care provider, with permission, for follow up. The nurses working the clinics can provide verbal education and educational materials regarding some of the causes of these disorders such as diet, exercise, age, race, and family history and ways to improve their abnormal results. Visit the QAC Department of Health Facebook page or contact the program at 443-262-4524 to determine when and where these Wellness Clinics will be held.