Times staff
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Health notes
Helen Ellis looks at how to combat heart disease
Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital offers a free Heart Disease Update seminar to help answer the question: What is the current medical science on heart health? The seminar will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the hospital, 1395 S Pinellas Ave., Tarpon Springs.
Guest speaker will be Dr. S. Jay Mathews, cardiovascular medicine specialist. Mathews will detail how the advances in medical science have made it possible to greatly reduce the risk of heart attack and sometimes reverse the onset of heart disease. He will update the audience on both the drug therapeutic breakthroughs as well as various interventional procedures used to combat heart disease and prevent heart attacks.
Light refreshments will be served.
Call (727) 943-3600, anytime, to reserve your seat at the seminar.
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A free seminar on how aging affects memory will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital, 1395 S. Pinellas Avenue, Tarpon Springs.
Stephanie Arnold, SLP-CCC, certified speech pathologist, will cover the issues that create and worsen memory problems. She will discuss the latest options to help older adults with memory disorders, as well as the latest therapeutic options. She will provide caregivers with an interactive experience to assist them in helping their loved one (or patient) who has a memory problem. Memory disorders may result from stroke, mental disability, brain injury, Alzheimer's disease or other medical problems.
Questions from the audience will be encouraged.
Reservations can be made by calling (727) 943-3600, anytime.
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The public is invited to take advantage of a variety of preventive health screenings 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Allegro at East Lake, 1755 E Lake Road S, Tarpon Springs.
In less than one hour, accurate, affordable ultrasound screenings for disease such as stroke, carotid artery problems, abdominal aortic aneurysm, some types of circulatory problems, osteoporosis and thyroid problems can be performed. Tests are administered by Prevention Plus Inc. and are given by registered sonographers.
Blood screenings will also be available for affordable prices.
All results, including films, will be mailed in two weeks. Tests are read by board certified radiologists.
To find out more about what tests are available or to schedule an appointment, call toll-free 1-888-667-7587.
Seminars, classes, support groups
NAR-ANON FAMILY GROUP MEETINGS: 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Mondays (except holidays) at Crystal Beach Community Center, 517 Crystal Beach Ave.; 7 p.m. Tuesdays at First United Methodist Church, Educational Building, second floor, 421 Main St., Dunedin; and 7 p.m. Wednesdays at St. Paul's Methodist Church, Room 102, 1199 Highland Ave., Largo. E-mail naranonfamilygroups@yahoo.com or visit Naranonfl.org.
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RECOVERY INC., SUPPORT GROUP FOR ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION: The group offers steps to feeling better and raising self-esteem at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays at Grace Lutheran Church, 1812 N Highland Ave., Clearwater; 1 p.m. Mondays at St. Timothy Lutheran Church, 813 Tarpon Ave., Tarpon Springs; and 4 p.m. Tuesdays at North Branch Library, 861 70th Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Call (727) 525-1749.
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ALZHEIMER'S CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP: 9:30 a.m. Monday (meets weekly), Palm Harbor Community Center, 1500 16th St. Visitors are welcome. Open discussion. Call (727) 787-1837.