Franciscan St. Francis Heart Center docs offer free seminars, screenings this fall

INDIANAPOLIS – Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, according to the American Heart Association.

Prevention is the key to lowering your chances of developing a cardiovascular disease, such as heart disease, stroke or high blood pressure. Franciscan St. Francis Heart Center is offering free classes and screenings through November.

To pre-register, call 317-782-4422 or toll free 1-877-888-1777. Registration also is available online at MyHeartCare.net.

Classes include:

Avoid a heart attack: Know your numbers

Session 1:

Presented by Mark Jones, MD

• Wednesday, Aug. 29, 6:30 p.m.

• Moral Township Fire Department, 8333 N. Frontage Road, Fairland

• Special number to register: (317) 421-1916

Session 2:

Presented by William Berg, MD

• Wednesday, Sept. 26, 6:30 p.m.

• Franciscan St. Francis Heart Center

Learn what happens to the heart muscle during a heart attack and what long-term complications can occur if treatment is delayed. Jones and Berg of Franciscan Physician Network Indiana Heart Physicians also will discuss signs, symptoms and risk factors for heart attacks and how to reduce your risk of having one.

Do you have a heart murmur?

Presented by Marc Gerdisch, MD, and Richard Shea, MD

Session 1:

• Thursday, Oct. 11, 6:30 p.m.

• Hilton Garden Inn Edinburgh, 12210 N. Executive Dr., Edinburgh

Session 2:

• Wednesday, Nov. 7, 6:30 p.m.

• Decatur County Memorial Hospital, 720 N. Lincoln St., Greensburg

Heart murmurs are caused by valves in the heart that don’t close properly. Sometimes, people can live with heart murmurs a long time without any symptoms. But if the problem becomes more serious, the blood flow to the heart may be affected. Gerdisch and Shea will talk about new treatments and surgeries for heart valves, including ongoing research studies at Franciscan St. Francis. Free heart valve echocardiogram screening will be offered to those who attend (value $500)

Coronary calcium scoring: How HeartScan identifies your cardiac risk

Presented by Ryan Daly, MD

• Wednesday, Oct. 17, 6:30 p.m.

• Franciscan St. Francis Heart Center

A build-up of calcium-containing plaque can block heart arteries and cause heart attacks. Coronary calcium scoring is a high-tech way of detecting calcium build-up in arteries and helps to identify your risk for heart disease. Daly will describe this test and answer your questions about other heart attack risk factors. A special screening offer will be made to those who attend the class.

How to protect yourself from stroke

Presented by Harry Genovely, MD

• Wednesday, Oct. 24, 6:30 p.m.

• Franciscan St. Francis Health—Mooresville

Genovely will talk about the importance of keeping the carotid artery leading to the brain free of plaque and disease, decreasing the risk for stroke. Class attendees may sign up for a free carotid artery screening.

Why does it hurt to walk?

Presented by Carl Rouch, MD

• Thursday, Nov. 29, 6:30 p.m.

• UnaVie Cardiology Center, 2451 Intelliplex Dr., Shelbyville

• Special number to register: (317) 421-1916

Leg pain can be a result of poor blood flow to the legs through the arteries, or it can be from poor blood flow back to the heart, causing enlarged or varicose veins. Rouch, of Franciscan Physician Network Heart Physicians, has a special interest in peripheral vascular disease. He will discuss the blood flow to and from the legs, signs and symptoms of arterial or venous disease and treatment options available. Those planning to attend may schedule a free peripheral vascular screening prior to the talk.