Page 76 - South Mississippi Living - July, 2016

HEALTHY LIVING and the beat goes on
story by Lynn Lofton photos courtesy of Memorial Hospital
SAVING LIVES
Heart research and new technology on the Coast
Advances in cardiovascular research and technology are saving lives in South Mississippi. That’s the message the American Heart Association and Memorial Hospital at Gulfport are stressing. The
two organizations hosted a heart-healthy breakfast and tour for community leaders and media
to illustrate the smooth transition from ambulance call through the emergency room and catheterization lab to discharge of patients.
Memorial President and CEO Gary Marchand and 2016 Gulf Coast Heart Walk Chairman Roy Anderson, III welcomed guests. “Through today’s presentation and tour, you’ll see the impact AHA science and research efforts have on patients who arrive at our ER with heart attack symptoms,” Marchand said.
“Accepting the chairmanship of the October 1 Heart Walk was a no brainer for me,” Anderson said. “I see the benefits of quality heart care, education and fitness for our community as an economic issue; there are definitely benefits. These are factors when we’re recruiting people to move here.”
In spite of education through the AHA and other organizations, Anderson pointed out that 37 percent of Mississippi Gulf Coast adults and 18 percent of children are overweight or obese; 34 percent have been told they have high blood pressure; 30 percent report no physical activity in the past month; 27 percent of adults smoke; and 21 percent of deaths are from heart disease.
“The American Heart Association is working to change these statistics by building a culture of health guided by our impact goal,” said Christin LeBoeuf, AHA Greater
76 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • July 2016
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