February is all about love, but there’s another kind of heart we’re thinking about this month! For American Heart Month, Dallas Moms Blog has partnered with Medical City Dallas Hospital to bring you this sponsored post regarding Medical City’s newest program HeartStrong.
This year, my husband James and I are skipping dinner and roses. Instead, we’re planning a double date to the doctor.
It all started last year when we got it in our heads we would be Runners. Not runners but Runners – capital R. We were ready to graduate from a few miles a week to a few marathons a year. Then I remembered reading a story about a young father who died after completing a race. He apparently had an undetected heart condition. I started to worry.
I’m lucky, because I work at a hospital. When I have a question about a health issue, I don’t have to depend on Web MD – I go talk to an MD. Our Director of Quality Cardiology Outcomes, Dr. Michael Isaac, confirmed it was a good idea for James to be screened for potential heart issues. But here’s the kicker – since James doesn’t have any heart problem symptoms, insurance will not cover the full range of tests needed to ensure a clean bill of heart health. That bothered me. 50% of men who die suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms. For women, the numbers are even worse – 64%of women had no previous problems.
That was the start of what turned into a four month long project: creating a heart screening package that a person could choose to pay for outside of insurance. A test that could provide peace of mind – or answers that could help a family avoid tragedy.
Today, I’m happy to announce HeartStrong at Medical City Dallas Hospital. It includes the five diagnostic tests Dr. Isaac believes most accurately screen for hardening of the arteries, abnormal heartbeats, and undetected heart defects. It’s $450, and can be paid for out of a flexible spending account.
This month, James and I have back-to-back HeartStrong appointments. I hope we get good news. But no matter what the answer, I know it will help me protect the heart I love for years to come.
Note: To learn more about the HeartStrong screening at Medical City, visit www.medicalcityheartstrong.com.
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A former reporter for local newstation WFAA Channel 8, Chris Hawes is the current Director of Strategic Communications and Media, Medical City Dallas Hospital / Medical City Children’s Hospital.
Chris directs communications, marketing, and outreach efforts for Medical City Dallas Hospital, Medical City Children’s Hospital, and Acute Kids Urgent Care.
**Disclosure: Dallas Moms Blog received compensation for this sponsored post regarding Medical City’s newest program HeartStrong.
