BECKLEY, W.Va. – Beckley ARH Cardiology Associates will offer a Healthy Heart Fair on February 21 at the Beckley ARH Medical Mall.

The annual event, which takes place in recognition of American Heart Month, offers free services including EKGs, lipid panels, stroke assessments, blood pressure screenings, glucose checks and hands-on CPR training.

“Heart disease is the leading cause of death in West Virginia,” said Natalie Sargent, Clinic Head Nurse for Beckley ARH Hospital. “But despite that alarming statistic, there are far too many at-risk individuals who don’t regularly receive screenings.”

Sargent said the heart fair is designed to help eliminate some of the barriers that might prevent people from seeking healthcare.

“A lot of people are either underinsured or not insured at all and others just might be overwhelmed and not sure where to go,” she said. “We recognize those barriers and hope to help more people with this heart fair, which offers all of these services and screenings for free and in one place.”

In addition to the screenings, participants will receive tips for healthy eating and living, as well as information on smoking cessation. The event will also include a variety of door prizes.

There are no age, health or financial requirements for the walk-in event, as Sargent says the only goal is to promote heart health.

“We just want to encourage people to come out, receive screenings and information and just put their health first,” she said.

The Beckley ARH Cardiology Associates Healthy Heart Fair will take place February 21 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fasting is recommended for best results.

The Beckley ARH Medical Mall is located at 1256 North Eisenhower Dr. in the Cranberry Creek Shopping Center close to Sam’s Club.

For more information, call 304-254-2656.

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Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH), is a not-for-profit health system operating 14 hospitals in Barbourville, Hazard, Harlan, Hyden, Martin, McDowell, Middlesboro, Paintsville, Prestonsburg, West Liberty, Whitesburg, and South Williamson in Kentucky and Beckley and Hinton in West Virginia, as well as multi-specialty physician practices, home health agencies, home medical equipment stores and retail pharmacies and medical spas. ARH employs approximately 6,400 people with an annual payroll and benefits of $474 million generated into our local economies. ARH also has a network of more than 1,300 providers on staff across its multi-state system. ARH is the largest provider of care and the single largst employer in southeastern Kentucky, and the third-largest private employer in southern West Virginia