3rd annual Healthy Heart Fair to headline Memorial Medical Center's American Heart Month events

Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center's third annual Healthy Heart Fair will serve as the centerpiece of a full month of free community health events promoting cardiac health during American Heart Month in February.

This year's fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at The Heart Center of Niagara, Walnut Avenue at 10^th Street, and will feature physician presentations, free diagnostic testing and a wealth of wellness information.

Headlining the event will be two prominent physicians who will address a condition of continuing concern to cardiac patients:

•Michael D. Banas, MD, FACC, FASNC, of Buffalo Heart Group will present "Peripheral Vascular Disease - Are You at Risk?"

•Vascular surgeon Michael J. Mitchell will address "Peripheral Vascular Disease and Minimally Invasive Treatment Options."

"Patients at risk for heart disease are frequently at risk for peripheral vascular disease," Memorial Cardiology Services Manager Linda Curtis said.  "The two go hand-in-hand."

Free interactive activities and health screenings at the fair will include:

• Electrocardiography (EKG)
• Blood pressure screening
• "Quick" heart ejection fraction screening

• "Quick" AAA screening and carotid doppler screening
• "Ask the Pharmacist," an opportunity for attendees to learn more about their medications
• Cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation and wellness demonstrations

• AED and CPR demonstrations

The event will also feature educational displays, Heart Center tours, door prizes and refreshments.  This year's Healthy Heart Fair is sponsored by Buffalo Heart Group LLC and Endologix. 

The fair will be one of many activities scheduled throughout the month to advance cardiac health in Niagara. Those activities will include:

•Feb. 1, 11:15 a.m., Wrobel Towers, "Healthy Heart Presentation"

•Feb. 3, "Go Red for Women" events at:

• Memorial Medical Center, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., blood pressure screenings by Muriel Forte, RN, and "Ask the Doctor" with Dr. Loliya Idoniboye
• Wrobel Towers, 11 a.m.

• John Duke Senior Center, 11 a.m., with Glenda Reardon, nutrition coordinator, Niagara County Office for the Aging

• LaSalle Senior Center, 11 a.m.

•Feb. 6, 11:15 a.m., St. John A.M.E Church, "Healthy Heart Presentation"

•Feb. 8, 11:15 a.m., LaSalle Senior Center, "Healthy Heart Presentation"

•Feb. 8, 11:15 a.m., Niagara Towers, "Healthy Heart Presentation"

•Feb. 9, 11:15 a.m., Spallino Towers, "Healthy Heart Presentation"

•Feb. 10, 10 a.m., Fifth annual Black History Celebration & Healthy Heart Educational Program, Memorial Medical Center Auditorium

•Feb. 13, 11:15 a.m., John Duke Center, "Healthy Heart Presentation" with Dr. Mark Haen

•Feb. 15, 11:15 a.m., Cal Richards Center, "Healthy Heart Presentation" with Glenda Reardon, nutrition coordinator, Niagara County Office for the Aging

•Feb. 26, Go Red for Women activities in area churches

•Feb. 28, 5 p.m., Doris Jones Family Resource Building, "Heart and Soul," a presentation on African Americans and Heart Disease with Dr. Kurt Herwich.

The Heart Center of Niagara at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center is a state-of- the-art facility whose team of cardiologists and 30-member staff offer a full range of diagnostic, clinical and invasive cardiology services.  For more information, visit www.NFMMC.org.