Free Heart Screening
By: Jayne Ann Bugda
Updated: February 9, 2013
In observance of National Heart Month, the Greater Hazleton Health Alliance will be offering a free Heart-Healthy Screening Event on Friday, February 15 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Hazleton Health & Wellness Center, Lower-Level, in Suite 103.
The event will include blood pressure, pulse oximetry, and heart rhythm screenings. The heart rhythm screening will check for any abnormal heart arrhythmias (abnormal heart beats). An irregular heartbeat is called an arrhythmia, which is not the same as an irregular heart rate. In fact, the two don't necessarily occur together. A normal heart rate is 50 to 100 beats per minute. Arrhythmias can occur with a normal heart rate, or with heart rates that are slow or rapid. An arrhythmia can be silent and not cause any symptoms.
A doctor can detect an irregular heartbeat during a physical exam by taking your pulse or through an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). In the United States, more than 850,000 people are hospitalized for an arrhythmia each year.
Please note that the heart rhythm screening is not to be utilized as a substitute for an EKG. Pre-registration is required; space is limited. Call 501-6204 to register.
