Cardio Time at Central Library!

Don't forget that tonight is the second event in the Library's 2014 Consumer Health Information Speaker Series, "Can I Catch That?" Tonight's program focuses on cardio health, and features cardiologist Angela Brown and clinical pharmacist Anastasia Armbruster. The program starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Auditorium at Central Library, 1301 Olive St., 63103. See the posts below for more information on the event.

Additionally, the event will feature herbalist and massage therapist Rachel Davis, and Lisa Hays of the Million Hearts Campaign talking about various ways in which you can take care of your heart at home. On your way in, please stop by their tables outside the auditorium.

See you at Central tonight!

Learn About Heart Health at the Library

Everyone has heard that having a healthy heart is part of living a healthy life. But how can you tell if your heart is healthy? And if it’s not, what can you do to make it healthy?

These are some of the questions the St. Louis Public Library and its community partners hope to answer on Tuesday, May 27, during a program called “Cardio Health: Risks, Intervention and Prevention.” The event, which will feature cardiologist Dr. Angela Brown and pharmacist Anastasia Armbruster, and will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium at Central Library, 1301 Olive St., 63103.

Dr. Angela Brown

Brown is an associate professor of medicine in the cardiology division at Washington University School of Medicine and director of the school’s section on hypertension. Armbruster is an assistant professor of pharmacy practice at St. Louis College of Pharmacy, and a clinical pharmacist specializing in cardiology and internal medicine at Missouri Baptist Medical Center.

The Library and its partners have chosen to focus on cardio health because it is something that affects

everyone. “It’s not just old people — it’s young people too,” Brown said. “This is the number one killer of men and women in the U.S.”

During the May 27 event, Brown and Armbruster will discuss what exactly constitutes heart disease, as well as risk factors and the lifestyle interventions that can decrease someone’s chances of developing heart disease. Brown said that after the event, she hopes people will feel empowered to take charge of their own heart health, noting that there are things people can do to improve their overall heart health and live a good-quality life.

Anastasia Armbruster

“It’s all about understanding your risk factors and knowing what you need to know to live that long, healthy life,” Brown said.

Fortunately, there is a lot that individuals can do on their own to improve their heart health. Both Brown and Armbruster suggest simply talking to your doctor about your personal risks for heart disease, and making sure you get the right screenings.

“Talk to your doctor about your risk. Have a yearly checkup, and ask about your blood pressure,” Armbruster said. “Heart health is a big deal. It is important, and something you want to put at the forefront.”

“Cardio Health: Risks, Intervention and Prevention” is presented as part of “Can I Catch That?,” the 2014 Consumer Health Information Speaker Series. The series is presented by St. Louis Public Library and its community partners: HealthStreet, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, and Washington University's Bernard Becker Medical Library. For more information about this event or about health information, call 314-539-0390.

*This article was originally published in the May 2014 issue of The Healthy Planet.

Have a Healthy Heart!

According to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control, heart disease is the #1 cause of death in the U.S.; stroke, another condition related to heart health, is fourth on the list. The bottom line: cardiovascular health is something that affects everyone, no matter how young or old. But the good news is, there’s a lot you can on your own to improve your cardio health.

The American Heart Association has lots of helpful tips on getting healthy, from weight management to smoking cessation to raising healthy active kids. Keeping an eye on your blood pressure is also a way to monitor your heart health. Take a look at this CDC infographic to see what your blood pressure means, and learn some tips on ways to keep it under control.

The Library has boatloads of books and DVDs about heart health, way too many to list here. But check out this link for a list in our catalog, or simply search for “heart health” in the catalog to get a list of results. Another good search term is “American Heart Association,” which will pull up plenty of cookbooks with heart-healthy recipes.

The Library will also focus on heart health later this month with “Can I Catch That? Cardio Health: Risks, Interventions, and Prevention.” This panel discussion will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 27 in the Auditorium at Central Library, 1301 Olive St., 63103. It is the second event in the 2014 Consumer Health Information Speaker Series. 

Next week on the blog, we’ll post more information about the event, including interviews with the two speakers, cardiologist Dr. Angela Brown and pharmacist Anastasia Armbruster. Make sure you check back later on for more info!