Conemaugh Nason Offers Heart Health Education

When Conemaugh Nason Medical Center in Roaring Spring opened its Cardiac Cath Lab in 2019, patients no longer had to travel outside the area to receive heart care and diagnosis.

Early detection and treatment of heart-related issues can be the difference between life and death. According to Karma Darnell, Conemaugh Nason education director, since the cardiac catheterization lab officially opened in January 2019, Nason has seen more that 4,800 patients and performed more than 2,800 heart catheterizations.

“We have exceeded all our expectations with the number of patients we are able to serve,” Darnell said. “We have several cardiologists available in the lab and patients have been very appreciative of not having to travel outside the area to get the procedure done.”

While a heart catheterization can detect heart issues, Conemaugh Nason wants to help people avoid heart problems by offering free healthy heart seminars to educate the public on heart health and steps they can take to avoid heart problems.

“When we looked at the health assessment needs of the community, we saw there was a need for more health education,” Darnell said. “We have quite a lot of cardio-vascular disease, so we felt this was a way to go.”

Darnell said guest speakers, which have included area heart specialists, medical professionals, and fitness experts, give advice on how to lead a healthy lifestyle, the importance of getting blood work and regular checkups, proper diet, and sleep.

“All the things that can affect heart health are discussed,” Darnell said. “Some people don’t realize how many things can impact heart health, and that’s why we want to educate them on it.”

Darnell, along with Cath Lab Director Jenn Shade and Respiratory Therapist Alison Caddy, began the seminars in June and said they have had a good response from the community.

“It has been well-received,” Darnell said. “People have been asking questions and offering great feedback.”

The seminars are held monthly and at different locations. Darnell said they are typically held on the third Wednesday of the month, but because of the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, they will take November and December off and resume in January.

Darnell said meeting dates and locations are posted on Nason’s Facebook page as well as flyers distributed to local doctor offices.

Darnell said preventative health is something healthcare providers have always stressed, and with Nason becoming a leader in local heart care, her team wanted to reach out to the community to educate them on what they can do to keep their heart strong.

“We want to promote a healthy community,” she said.