Heart disease and stroke, recognized as the first and fifth leading causes of death in the United States, claim the lives of more than 877,500 Americans annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In response to this alarming reality, the St. Elizabeth Healthcare CardioVascular Mobile Health Unit is taking proactive steps by bringing cardiovascular screenings and educational resources directly to communities throughout Northern Kentucky and Southeastern Indiana. Leveraging the latest medical technologies and expert insights, this initiative fosters a healthier, better-informed community by offering accessible preventive care and resources close to home.
On-the-Go Heart and Vascular Evaluations
The blue and white van parked at local churches and stores signals an opportunity for community members to access state-of-the-art heart and vascular assessments. For just $25 per test, you can receive immediate preliminary results on-site. Fast results provide quick insights into your heart and vascular health – just like Joyce Jacobs received.
Joyce’s story serves as a valuable reminder of the critical importance of regular preventive check-ups and screenings.
Comprehensive Screenings and Expert Review
All screenings provided on the van get a thorough review by Interventional Radiologists or Vascular Surgeons at St. Elizabeth Healthcare. Once read, we send you the official results and integrate them into your electronic medical record.
Jeanie Foley, RN BSN, the Prevention and Wellness Program Manager at the Florence Wormald Heart & Vascular Institute at St. Elizabeth, says this tight communication ensures timely and coordinated follow-up care.
Health Insights at Your Fingertips
Take 30 minutes to get a personalized screening and review of your heart and vascular risk factors! Our mobile unit provides quick and insightful health evaluations. Blood tests take just a few minutes (though you’ll need to fast for four hours before your test). And our cardiac age risk assessment offers immediate results. These evaluations give a series of easy-to-read charts showing your numbers for cholesterol, glucose (sugar in your blood), body mass index and blood pressure.
Certified vascular technologists perform the following heart and vascular screenings on our mobile unit:
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screenings look for enlargements in the aorta in the stomach.
- AFib screenings identify irregular heartbeats.
- Cardiac age health risk assessments identify modifiable risk factors for developing heart disease.
- Carotid artery screenings look for plaque buildup, the No.1 cause of stroke.
- Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) screenings look for disease in your lower extremities.
A Mission to Reduce Cardiac Deaths
St. Elizabeth Healthcare intends to reduce heart-related deaths by 25% before 2025. Foley says the mobile unit tours the region to bring essential screening tests to the community. It offers low-cost, high-quality heart and vascular care to everyone.
“It’s a non-threatening way to get information about your health,” says Foley. “We have a lot of visitors who are afraid to go to the doctor. They come here and say, ‘This is so easy, it’s so nice.’ It’s a welcoming environment and encourages more community members to take proactive steps toward better health.”
The CardioVascular Mobile Health Unit also hosts free educational events. “We come to churches and community areas to teach about heart-healthy lifestyles, symptoms of a heart attack, symptoms of a stroke and hands-only CPR,” says Foley.
Take Control of Your Heart and Vascular Health
The CardioVascular Mobile Health Unit offers the latest technology and expertise right in your community. It’s easy and accessible and could be your most important step to improve your health. Visit our calendar listing to find a convenient location near you.
Call (859) 301-WELL (9355). Appointments are preferred. Insurance is not accepted, so patients should bring cash, check or credit card.
