JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Nine of 1,040 people screened at our 15th annual Take It to Heart event Tuesday were in need of immediate medical care and were rushed to the hospital. Hundreds of others learned more about their health and about being heart healthy.
The event offers free testing of blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol screenings and body mass index. Frances Samuel at Baker Gilmour Cardiovascular Institute, one of the sponsors, said these are all crucial numbers that tell doctors about the health of your heart.
In addition to the free screenings and goody bags, this year's event featured several farmers selling fresh fruits and veggies, along with recipes and idea to get started eating healthy.
Memorial Hospital, one of the sponsors, also provided an exercise specialist to teach moves that will help people relax and de-stress -- another contributor to heart health.
This year's Take It to Heart event brought back T-shirts, and also gave an opportunity to win one of four $50 Walgreen's gift cards.