In recognition of American Heart Month, Planned Parenthood of Indiana (PPIN) will offer free cholesterol testing to patients at 19 health centers across the state from Feb. 13 through Feb. 18.
The free testing will be available at the following PPIN health centers: Avon, Bloomington, Columbus, Evansville, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis-Castleton, Indianapolis-Eastside, Indianapolis-Midtown, Indianapolis-Southside, Hammond, Lafayette, Madison, Merrillville, Mishawaka, Muncie, Richmond, Terre Haute, Valparaiso and Warsaw.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death for both women and men in the United States and a major cause of disability. High cholesterol – which means you have too much cholesterol in your blood that could build up on the walls of your arteries – is a risk factor associated with heart disease.
The CDC also says that high cholesterol has no symptoms, and many people have never had their cholesterol checked.
“What better time to get a feel for the health of your heart than during Valentine’s week and American Heart Month,” said Liz Carroll, PPIN’s vice president of patient services. “These blood tests are quick and easy, and if you learn that your cholesterol level is too high, there are steps you can take – such as exercise – to reduce it right away.”
Because exercise is good for your heart, PPIN is also offering patients the opportunity to obtain a pedometer during the month of February. For a small donation to their local health center, patients will get a pedometer of their own, which will help them track how many steps they take during the day. Pedometers are available at the same 19 health centers listed above.
Appointments for the free cholesterol testing are recommended, but not required. To make an appointment, call 1-800-230-PLAN. To learn more about PPIN’s other preventive health care services, such as Pap tests, birth control, cancer screenings and STD testing and treatment, go to www.ppin.org.
