Spring is a wonderful time. Are you beginning to notice that the flowers and trees are starting to bloom? Look carefully. You may see crocuses and daffodils pushing through the ground. One sure sign that spring is in full swing?  The arrival of St. Mary’s Good Samaritan’s Annual Heart Expo!

On Saturday, March 21, from 8 am to 12 noon, St. Mary’s Good Samaritan will again host the Heart Expo at Mt. Vernon Holiday Inn.  You can kick start a healthier season for yourself and your family by enjoying lots of free information and screenings, plus taking advantage of reduced-rate blood work.  This year’s Expo will see the return of some popular booths and screenings, plus the addition of several new and interesting ones. We’ll have demonstrations of some of the neat ways St. Mary’s Good Samaritan can help you be healthier!

All of these education and wellness services are offered free of charge throughout the event:

• The health benefits of volunteering
• Cath Lab Demonstration: “Stopping a Heart Attack in Motion”
• Live Echo and Vascular Demonstration
• Good Nutrition and Healthy Weight, plus Body Fat Analysis
• Osteoporosis Screenings
• Learn Your Diabetes Risk
• Target Heart Rate Calculations
• Blood Pressure Screenings
• Ask the Pharmacist
• BMI Calculations
• The Link Between Sleep Problems and Heart Disease
• Demonstration:  “What Happens During a Sleep Study?”
• Questions About your Hospital Bills Answered
• Learn how to qualify for Illinois’ Breast and Cervical Cancer Program

Also, we’ll be drawing blood for Executive Profile Lab Work on site, at a reduced rate of $30.  For the most accurate results, participants will need to fast at least eight hours prior to testing (we’ll have snacks available after you have your blood drawn!).  The Executive Profile consists of the following:

• Cholesterol
• Triglycerides
• HDL – High Density Lipoprotein
• LDL – Low Density Lipoprotein
• VLDL – Very Low Density Lipoprotein
• Cholesterol/HDL Ratio
• TSH thyroid function test
• Comprehensive Metabolic Panel:  Glucose, Sodium, Potassium, and other related tests
• Complete Blood Count (CBC)

To reduce wait times for lab work, pre-register by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling toll-free:  1-888-257-6098. 

If you pre-register, your paperwork will be processed and ready for you upon arrival at the Expo.