Baton Rouge General Kicks Off Heart Education Series

Baton Rouge, LA – Heart disease has been the leading cause of death in men and women for more than 90 years. That’s why we proudly do our part to support American Heart Month every year with education and screenings for the community. This week at Baton Rouge General, cardiologist Dr. Kris Lindsay kicked off a series of heart health events with a Lunch and Learn that offered attendees manageable ways to control their cholesterol and blood pressure, ultimately helping prevent heart attacks.

“A lot of times, life happens and things get out of control quickly,” said Dr. Lindsay, cardiologist with Cardiovascular Institute of the South. “We can’t do anything about our genetics or the choices we’ve made in the past, but we can start improving our heart health by making one change at a time. Thinking about going from no exercise to ‘doing cardio’ may seem overwhelming, but walking for an hour each week is much better for our hearts than sitting on the couch.”

Other tips from Dr. Lindsay include:

• If you have diabetes, work to get it under control.
• If you smoke, enroll in a smoking cessation program with tools and support to help you stop.
• Make healthier food choices:
  • Look at sodium content listed on food labels (<1500mg per day).
  • Eat fewer carbs, fats and sweets.
  • Eat more fruits and vegetables.
  • Try to get at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise every week.
• Understand your individual risk factors. If you don’t know where you stand, attend the Love Your Heart Day screening event at BRG’s Bluebonnet campus on Saturday, March 3. The $15 event begins at 7 a.m. and will offer:
  • Cholesterol screening
  • Glucose (blood sugar) screening
  • Blood pressure screening
  • Heart risk assessment
  • EKG (based on individual risk)
  • Height, weight, BMI and body fat calculations

Screenings for Love Your Heart Day are provided by Baton Rouge General, Baton Rouge General Physicians, Baton Rouge Cardiology Center, and Cardiovascular Institute of the South. Registration is at BRGeneral.org/LoveYourHeart.

Other heart-specific Lunch and Learn events are scheduled for:

• March 14 – Heart Disease and High Cholesterol: Are You at Risk?: Dr. Steven Kelley, Baton Rouge Cardiology Center
• April 11 – 10 Habits of Heart-Healthy People; Dr. Garland Green, Cardiovascular Institute of the South
• May 24 – Know Your Numbers; Dr. Evens Rodney, Baton Rouge Cardiology Center

The Lunch & Learn events are free, but attendees are encouraged to RSVP at BRGeneral.org.

About Baton Rouge General Medical Center
Baton Rouge General Medical Center is the area’s first community hospital with 588 licensed beds between two campuses. Baton Rouge General opened its doors in 1900, and has provided the Greater Baton Rouge community with high-quality healthcare for generations. An accredited teaching hospital since 1991, Baton Rouge General serves as a satellite campus of Tulane University School of Medicine, and offers other medical education programs, including a School of Nursing, School of Radiologic Technology, Family Medicine Residency Program, Internal Medicine Residency Program, and Sports Medicine Fellowship Program. For more information, visit BRGeneral.org, find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/BatonRougeGeneral and follow us on Twitter at @BRGeneral.

About Cardiovascular Institute of the South
Founded by Dr. Craig Walker in 1983, Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS) is a world-leader in preventing, detecting, and treating cardiovascular and peripheral vascular disease. CIS offers a comprehensive heart and vascular program with expert physicians trained in many specialties, including internal medicine, nuclear cardiology, electrophysiology, lipid management, coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, valve disease, and interventional cardiovascular procedures. CIS has earned international acclaim as a pioneer of research, development and education, as well as an innovator in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease. With a dedicated team of more than 700 team members, CIS provides comprehensive cardiovascular care at 20 locations, eight of which offer telemedicine services, across three states, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. CIS remains at the forefront of technology, providing the highest-quality, compassionate care. This mission has guided the institute for nearly 35 years of excellence. For more information about CIS, call 1-800-425-2565 or visit www.cardio.com.