Palm Beach County, Fla. (February 2, 2016) – Tenet Healthcare’s Palm Beach County hospitals are hosting and sponsoring a month-long series of events, lectures and health fairs to commemorate Heart Month in February. Employees and physicians at Delray Medical Center, Good Samaritan Medical Center, Palm Beach Children’s Hospital, Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, St. Mary’s Medical Center and West Boca Medical Center, which comprise the Tenet Florida Heart and Vascular Network, will participate in these activities as part of their ongoing commitment to strengthen heart health in the community.

“Taking part in Heart Month and ‘Wear Red Day’ (Feb. 5) gives us the opportunity to spotlight heart disease and educate the community on the technologies and specialized services available to them,” said Marsha Powers, CEO of Tenet Healthcare’s Florida region. “Within the last year alone, we have made significant cardiovascular advancements at our hospitals, including the addition of the following: the left ventricular assist device (LVAD), the WATCHMAN Implant, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and the convergent approach.”

Some of our featured programs and activities for Heart Month include:

• Delray Medical Center

Feb. 5 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Wellness Screening Expo) – The event will provide complimentary screenings to the community, including blood pressure, BMI, bone density, heart health, cholesterol, fall prevention and much more. Medical specialists and pharmacists will be on-site to answer questions, and guests will have the opportunity to safely dispose of unwanted or expired prescription medications.

• Feb. 10 at 1 p.m. (Lecture) – Dr. Yoel Vivas, eletrophysiologist, will discuss new therapies for atrial fibrillation. 
• Feb. 17 at 1:30 p.m. (Lecture) – Dr. Steven Cohen, cardiologist, will discuss cardiac risk factors.
• Palm Beach  Gardens Medical Center
• Feb. 4 from 6 to 7 p.m. (Lecture) – Join Dr. Neil Galindez, cardiothoracic surgeon, to learn about the convergent approach, a new minimally invasive treatment option for atrial fibrillation.
• Feb. 16 from 6:30 to 7 p.m. (Hands-Only Adult CPR Class) – Local EMS will give a hands-only CPR demonstration and go over Automated External Defibrillator use. Participants will have the opportunity to practice their new skills using CPR manikins.
• Feb. 18 from 6 to 7 p.m. (Lecture) – Join Dr. Stephen C. Trachtenberg, cardiologist, to learn about physical exercises that can be beneficial for your cardiovascular health.
• Good Samaritan Medical Center
• Feb. 11 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. (Screenings) – Attend the hospital’s free cardiac screenings where you can also receive a complimentary stroke risk assessment.
• Feb. 15 from 11:30 a.m. (Lecture) – Dr. Suneet Kukreja, cardiologist, will discuss the Mediterranean diet and heart health.
• Feb. 29 from 11:30 a.m. (Lecture) – Dr. David Weisman, cardiac electrophysiologist and medical director of the hospital’s electrophysiology laboratory, will discuss arrhythmia and tachycardia in women.
• St. Mary’s Medical Center & Palm Beach Children’s Hospital
• Feb. 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Screenings) – Attend the hospital’s free stroke screening to potentially prevent a stroke before it happens.
• West Boca Medical Center
• Feb. 11 at 5 p.m. (A Heart to Heart with your Doctor) – Join Dr. Raul Perez, internist, for dinner and a chance to ask him questions about your health.
• Feb. 24 from 8 to 11 a.m. (Screenings) – The hospital’s free healthy heart screenings will include blood pressure, cholesterol glucose, triglycerides, LDL and HDL checks.

For more details, locations and to view our full calendar of upcoming Heart Month events, please visit www.tenetfl.com/Cardiac/calendar/category/upcoming-events.

The facts surrounding heart disease in the United States are clear. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for American men and women, killing about 600,000 people every year. High blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol and smoking are key risk factors for heart disease. About half of Americans have at least one of these three risk factors.

It is important to know the warning signs of a heart attack in order to prevent severe damage to the heart or even death. Some of the major warning signs include chest pain or discomfort; upper body pain or discomfort in the arms, back, neck, jaw, or upper stomach; shortness of breath; and nausea, lightheadedness, or cold sweats.

If you would like to register for heart screenings and/or events or take a free heart risk assessment, please call 1-844-522-7346 or visit Myhearthospital.com. For more information about the Tenet Florida Heart and Vascular Network, go to TenetHeart.com.