Thank You Letter from La Porte Medical Center.

Dear Foundation Board Members:

     Thanks to your generosity, staff from The Cardiovascular and Cath Lab’s and throughout LRHS along with Women’s Heart Advantage Committee members dedicated their expertise, time and energy towards the 5th women’s heart screening. Held in new Buffalo, this screening was offered to La Porte County residents and for the first time Southwest Michigan constituents on February 17th, 2007.

     Eighty-two women took advantage of this event. Participants filled out a Health Risk Appraisal and received a resting EKG, an Echocardiogram screening test, a blood pressure check with ankle/arm pressure index (ABI), height/weight measurements with body fat composition analysis along with fasting labs consisting of total and HDL cholesterol, blood glucose and triglycerides testing.  

     Dr. David Gorecki donated his time to read the EKG, Echo and Ankle/Arm pressure index screening tests. Results were mailed directly to the participants along with the health risk appraisal recommendations for lifestyle changes. 

Results Summary: 

EKG: 24 abnormal (29%) 9 participants received a recommendation for follow-up

Echocardiogram screen: 10 abnormal (12%) with recommendation for follow-up

ABI (ankle/arm index): 10 abnormal (12%) 3 participants received a recommendation for follow-up

Blood pressure elevation: 33 (40%) received a recommendation for follow-up

Weight: 57 (70%) of participants received a recommendation for follow-up due to a BMI > 24.9. Of these, 37% are                   considered obese with a BMI > 29.9%.

Fasting Laboratory results:

Total Cholesterol/HDL: 50 (61%) demonstrated elevated levels > 200 TC and < 35

Triglycerides: 2 (2%) demonstrated elevated levels > 200 mg/dl

Blood Sugar (Glucose): 2 (2%) who do not report being diabetic demonstrated elevated levels > 100mg/dl 

Response from participants was very appreciative and positive.  Overall screening time for each individual was approximately 30 minutes.  

As anticipated 63 % of participants for this screening reside in Michigan. The majority of participants were in the 45-64 year old age bracket consistent with previous screenings with the average age of 52.3 years.

The graphs below demonstrates participant residency and age distribution:

 Age distribution of participants is demonstrated in the following graph:

     Thank you once again for the support of our Women’s Heart   Advantage screening program. It is our goal to continue educating the women in our community on the risk and dangers of cardiac and vascular disease and provide community members with the first step in early detection and knowledge of the resources available to them at La Porte Hospital & Health Services.

Sincerely,

Marcia Vermilye, BS, MSA, RN                                                                              

Director of Cardiovascular Services                                                                                   

La Porte Hospital & Health Services

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