Montgomery County public health office outlines American Heart Month events and trainings

Cassidy Bowen, community health educator with the Montgomery County Office of Public Health, briefed commissioners Feb. 6 on American Heart Month activities and prevention priorities.

Bowen summarized modifiable and nonmodifiable cardiovascular risk factors, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sedentary lifestyle and family history. She described county outreach planned for February, including social media education campaigns and a call for county employees and residents to wear red for National Wear Red Day on Feb. 7.

County offerings include free or low-cost hands-on CPR and Narcan trainings: county employees can register for sessions on the third Wednesday of each month at the Cal Center in Norristown; county residents have access to sessions the first Tuesday of each month. Bowen said the trainings themselves are free but the American Heart Association certification card costs $24 per person. She also described a public event on Wednesday, Feb. 19, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the new coroner’s office that will include a heart-healthy cooking demonstration, a public presentation and free blood-pressure checks; registration is required.

Bowen encouraged residents to seek regular screenings and offered lifestyle guidance such as aiming for 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week, limiting saturated and trans fats, reducing sodium and managing stress and sleep. She said heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., citing national statistics used in the presentation.

Commissioners thanked Bowen and moved the meeting to public comment.