Maui Cardiovascular Program Encourages Healthy Hearts

By Wendy Osher

Cardiovascular services, Maui Memorial Medcial Center. Courtesy photo.

Heart health is the focus of a free wellness program offered this fall to Maui residents.

The fall edition of the Malama Pu’uwai program (Take Care of Your Heart) begins on Thursday, October 6, and runs for six-weeks at the Maui Memorial Medical Center.

Sessions run from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday evenings through November 10, 2011.

The program focuses on education, healthy food choices, exercise, screening and referrals. Activities are aimed at promoting wellness through early detection and modification of cardiovascular disease risk factors.

The schedule allows for continuous contact with participants over a 15-month period.  After the six-week program, three and nine month follow-up newsletters will be mailed, and at six and 12 months, follow-up meetings will be held.

The following is offered as part of the program to participants free of charge:

• Health Assessment and Lifestyle Profile
• Blood Pressure evaluation
• Body Mass Index
• Ankle Brachial Index (if indicated)
• Laboratory tests- Blood glucose, Total Cholesterol, HDL, LDL etc.
• Counseling with RN concerning assessment data and results of screenings
• 30 minutes of exercise each week
• Healthy food choices
• Referrals to health care professionals as appropriate
• Education on Cardiovascular risk factors including- Hypertension, Diabetes, Tobacco & Chemical Effects on Health, Stress Management, Fitness, Nutrition and Motivation to Change
• Assistance in lifestyle goal setting and strategies
• A healthy meal is offered at each session and is sponsored by the Maui Memorial Medical Center Foundation.

The program is offered free of charge to the public, however, pre-registration is required and space is limited.

For more information or to register, contact Kim Finney at [email protected] or call 243-3047.