Free cardiac risk screening offers key first step to wellness

  • Published
  • By Chuck Paone
  • 66 ABW Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Base officials suggest that civilian employees start their wellness journey by visiting the Health and Wellness Center and having a 15-minute cardiac risk screening done. 

The screening conducted by Deanne Casey, R.N., Federal Occupational Health nurse coordinator and health educator, includes a quick finger stick that within minutes yields total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides and glucose measurements. Ms. Casey also provides a blood pressure check and measures weight and Body Mass Index. 

Participants are encouraged to fast for eight to 12 hours before the screening, but the HAWC does also offer afternoon screenings, which can be conducted after just four hours of fasting. 

"The idea is to give people a baseline, so they know where they are in terms of these critical health factors," Ms. Casey said. "Then, if the numbers indicate that some action is needed, we can discuss the steps to take." 

If any numbers are particularly alarming, Ms. Casey will suggest the individual see a physician to discuss the issue. In one recent case, a blood pressure recording was so high, that the person was sent for immediate medical attention. 

"Most of the time, we can simply discuss a plan for achieving better numbers," she said. "We can talk in general terms about the types of foods to cut back on, and some of the things people should try to eat, like whole-grain oats, to improve their cholesterol numbers." 

Ms. Casey also offers a 30 minute presentation to organizations, which explains the results and how to improve them. In addition, she counsels on the importance of exercise, whether it be a standardized, rigorous program or just getting out and walking (at a decent pace) several times a day.

The risk screening is all completely confidential. "I don't even write people's names down on the form," Ms. Casey said. "The information gets recorded, so that FOH can keep overall statistics, but nothing is traceable back to the individual." 

About 30 percent of the civilian population at Hanscom takes advantage of this free service. Those who don't most frequently cite yearly visits to a primary care doctor as the main reason. 

"That makes sense, but people can take their screening at the six-month point, half way between their annual physicals," Ms. Casey said. "That way, they get a progress report without having to wait a whole year to see if results have improved with changing lifestyle or medication." 

Ms. Casey also notes that many insurance carriers add an out-of-pocket surcharge for lab work. One alternative is for patients to take these certified numbers to their doctor, possibly negating the need for him or her to run the same tests again. 

Many others, especially younger men, Ms. Casey notes, almost never see a doctor, certainly not on a regular basis. Yet it's equally important for them to have these basic health facts, and the CRA is an easy way to get them. 

In many cases, people needn't even go to the HAWC to obtain an assessment. Ms. Casey can bring all her equipment and travel to various work sites, where she'll perform screenings for as few as three or as many as 20 individuals. 

"I've been working in different buildings, and I plan to do a lot more," she said. Anyone wishing to schedule one should call the HAWC at (781) 377-8467. 

"The bottom line is that people who know their numbers are more likely to do something about them," Ms. Casey said. "And we can help them figure out what to do, too, so it really is a great service that people should take advantage of."