Piedmont Macon promoting heart health as Heart Health Month continues

Free heart health screenings were provided on Thursday

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – February marks Heart Health Month, and Piedmont Macon is raising awareness and promoting heart health in the community one heart at a time.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, taking a life every 34 seconds.

Piedmont Macon is doing its part to ensure individuals receive the heart screenings they need. On Thursday, the hospital offered free heart health screenings to more than 60 people.

Sirena Fritz, director of Cardiovascular Services at Piedmont Macon, says it’s important to be able to recognize the symptoms of heart disease, which can vary between men and women.

“Chest pain radiating to the left arm, jaw pain, shortness of breath,” she said. “Women have different heart pains and different symptoms of a heart attack than men, so women are going to have more shortness of breath, more lack of energy, and they’ll have pain that radiates to their back.”

Fritz says we should all have regular monitoring of blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

“High blood pressure can lead to damage that allows cholesterol to build up,” she said.

Denise Fletcher, director of patient access at Piedmont Macon and Piedmont Macon North, shared a story about a patient who benefited from previous screenings. The patient learned he had prostate cancer through screening, despite having no symptoms. Fletcher said the patient was excited to participate in Thursday’s heart health screenings to see what other health issues might be detected.

Fritz says a well-balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables is key and also warned against tobacco use.

“What’s important is that you get out and start moving,” she said. “Smoking cessation followed by diet and exercise to try and help make sure you are staying heart healthy.”