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WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Health’s MinuteClinic will provide free heart health screenings each week throughout this month.
Dubbed “Know Your Numbers,” the MinuteClinic heart health screenings will be offered every Wednesday in February at all MinuteClinic locations. CVS said the heart health checks are part of its support of the American Heart Association’s “Go Red For Women” initiative.
Customers can visit their local MinuteClinic on Feb. 7, 14, 21 and 28 and receive a free heart health preventive screening to learn the five key personal health numbers to help them gauge their risk for heart disease: total cholesterol, HDL (“good”) cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and body mass index (BMI).
“Knowing your numbers is more important than ever, following recently updated guidelines from the American Heart Association that indicate nearly half of Americans are at risk for major health problems as a result of high blood pressure,” according to Angela Patterson, chief nurse practitioner officer at MinuteClinic. “Knowing the numbers that may indicate risk not only allows someone to assess risk for heart disease and stroke, but it can determine what actions, if any, are needed to manage your risk,” she added.
The MinuteClinic heart health screenings are sponsored by Bayer Aspirin in recognition of CVS Health’s support of Go Red For Women.
Last week, CVS Health released findings from a national survey of U.S. women showing that few acknowledge their personal risk factors that contribute to heart disease. Of the 1,141 adult women surveyed by Morning Consult on behalf of CVS Health, only 18% consider heart disease to be the top health problem facing Americans today. What’s more, most women weren’t aware of their status for factors that could increase their heart disease risk, including cholesterol levels (57%), blood sugar (58%), Body Mass Index (BMI) (61%) or waist circumference (62%).
Meanwhile, 64% of women said pharmacists play a role in managing heart health. But just 15% have asked their pharmacist questions about heart health, and 36% have talked to their pharmacist about the heart medications they’re taking. And of those who had questions about their heart medications, 70% said they found their pharmacist to be very helpful.
“Cardiovascular diseases kill nearly one in three women each year, and their effects have touched many of our colleagues and customers,” stated Lisa Bisaccia, chief human resources officer at CVS Health and incoming national volunteer chair for Go Red For Women. “By supporting Go Red For Women, we are creating an easy way for people to take the steps they need to prevent heart disease and to show their support for family, friends and neighbors who are affected.”
Customers also can support Go Red For Women by making a $1, $3 or larger donation at the register at CVS Pharmacy stores nationwide or online at CVSHealth.com/GoRed through Feb. 17. And for every pack of Wrigley’s Extra gum sold at CVS Pharmacy in February, the retailer will donate $1 to Go Red For Women up to $100,000.
Go Red For Women is a national movement to raise awareness of heart disease and stroke in women and empower them to take control of their health. As part of CVS Health’s commitment to that effort, the company last year pledged to raise at least $10 million through 2019 to support life-saving cardiovascular research and education.
