Saint Thomas Hospital News

Contact: Paul Lindsley
615/222-6859
plindsley@stthomas.org

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 2, 2010) - February is National Heart Month and as part of the celebration, Saint Thomas Heart is proud to offer FREE heart screenings throughout the month. It's been proven that majority of heart attacks and strokes occur in asymptomatic people and those with mild to moderate elevation in cholesterol. Early detection is the most effective way in avoiding a heart attack or stroke. This advanced cardiovascular risk assessment is painless, completely non-invasive and takes less than 45 minutes to complete. And - best of all - is FREE and available by appointment when you call 615-269-4545.

Specific tests provided as part of the FREE screening package:
• Blood Pressure Screening
• Cholesterol Testing
• Glucose Level Testing
• BMI (Body Mass Index) Calculation
• Stroke Risk Assessment
• Berlin Sleep Apnea Questionnaire
• Edinburgh Claudication Questionnaire for Peripheral Vascular Disease
• Metabolic Syndrome Screening
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) - evaluation based on risk factors
• Framingham Risk Score (Calculation of 10 year risk of heart attack or cardiac death)

In addition, a board certified Saint Thomas Heart nurse practitioner will hold a private consultation with each patient to review test results. Recommendations will be based on findings. To learn more about heart health, call Saint Thomas Heart at 615-269-4545, or visit www.heartasone.com.

Saint Thomas Health Services is a faith-based ministry with more than 6,500 associates serving Middle Tennessee. Saint Thomas Health Services' regional health system consists of four hospitals - Baptist and Saint Thomas in Nashville, Middle Tennessee Medical Center in Murfreesboro and Hickman Community Hospital in Centerville - and a comprehensive network of affiliated joint ventures in diagnostics, cardiac services and ambulatory surgery as well as medical practices, the Center for Spinal Surgery, clinics and rehabilitation facilities. STHS is a member of Ascension Health, a Catholic organization that is the largest not-for-profit health system in the United States. For more information, visit http://www.sths.com.