North Oaks Health System Sponsors Seventh Annual “Change of Heart” Expo

In observance of February as American Heart Month, nearly 200 participants attended the seventh annual North Oaks Health System “Change of Heart” Expo on Feb. 27 at North Oaks Diagnostic Center on the North Oaks Medical Center campus.

More than 80 North Oaks volunteers performed free screenings and educated participants on risk factors for heart disease and how behavior modifications may help in preventing the development of cardiovascular-related health issues.

Three free screening types, valued at $200 each, were also offered to attendees by appointment: a heart risk assessment with blood pressure and cholesterol checks and a personal consultation with a health care professional; an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) evaluation; and a peripheral vascular disease (PVD) assessment.

The heart risk assessment results reported 8 participants at high risk of heart disease and 28 at moderate risk of heart disease. Two of the PVD screening participants were found to have minimal to moderate claudication (a cramp-like pain in the legs due to inadequate blood flow) and 12 were found to have minimal claudication. Fifty-nine participated in the AAA screening, but no aneurysms were seen.

The Expo is an opportunity for the public to learn what lifestyle behavior can help prevent heart disease, according to Cardiologist Claude T. Nesser, MD, who provided free consultations for participants.

“There are many risk factors that you can control by altering your behavior. A sedentary lifestyle is one. You will see an immediate difference when you begin exercising, even if it’s only for 20 minutes, four to six times a week. Get yourself a good pair of shoes and go out for a walk,” he suggested.

The Expo also featured a health fair, the opportunity to sample heart-healthy recipes like gumbo and frozen smoothies, a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) demonstration class and physician-led seminars on hot topics in cardiac care.

Nurse Practitioner Jean Genzale-Bertrand, APRN, presented a session on “Diagnosing Heart Disease: The Necessary Tests” in which she described a variety of tools used to test, diagnose and treat patients.

Owen Barclay of Amite attended Genzale-Bertrand’s seminar to “avoid hospitalization and be healthy.” He explained that he visited exhibits and picked up information to aid him in “lifestyle and prevention.”

In addition to Nesser, other participating physicians included Cardiologists Charles J. Dicorte, MD, Jherie D. Ducombs, MD and Patrick A. Delaney, MD; and Radiologists John A. Braud, MD, Edward R. Hernandez, MD, Roy DiVittorio, MD and J.P. Miller, MD.

North Oaks Cardiology Clinic Nurse Practitioner Jean Genzale-Bertrand, APRN, performs a consultation with the results of Change of Heart Expo participant Angela Cressionnie of Ponchatoula.

From right, North Oaks Heart Health Services staff Tiffany Santangelo and Diana Ellzey discuss program offerings with Valerie Davila-Trusso of Loranger at the health fair offered during the Change of Heart Expo.