WJMC To Offer Free Health Screenings, Jump Rope Challenge For American Heart Month
MARRERO, LA – In observance of American Heart month, West Jefferson Medical Center (WJMC) will host a Heart Health Fair, a Jump Rope Challenge and free health screenings, including free EKGs, blood pressures readings and glucose and BMI screenings, on Wednesday, February 24, 2016, at the WJMC’s Auditorium, 1101 Medical Center Blvd., in Marrero, LA, from 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The Jump Rope Challenge will start at 10:45 a.m.
The public, doctors, nurses, community members and local TV personalities from all local New Orleans TV news stations (WWL, WDSU, WVUE, WGNO) are also being challenged to jump rope in observance of American Heart Month. Whoever logs the most number of full jumps, in a 2-minute period, will:
• Be crowned Cardiovascular King or Queen of NOLA
• Earn bragging rights on social media
• Help raise awareness of the disease, and
• Win 2 prizes (a one-year gym membership at West Jefferson Fitness Centers and a surprise gift card)
Health screenings will be offered free to the public, but require a RSVP. There will be no screenings offered between 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., and fasting cholesterol screenings will be offered for $5 between 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. only.
The Heart Health Fair will also offer free “heart fitness” programs; talks by a cardiologist, EMT and a dietician; prizes and more to help educate people about heart disease.
Heart disease is the #1 killer of men and women in the United States, affecting roughly 5.7 million Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). WJMC was recently honored by achieving the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® Gold Receiving level. WJMC is the only hospital in Louisiana to earn this recognition and only one of 50 hospitals nationwide to receive the Gold honor.
