McHenry Co. health department offers cardio screening

McHenry County Department of Health is offering a cardiovascular screening from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, at McHenry County College, 8900 Route 14, in Crystal Lake.

Heart disease and stroke are the first and third leading causes of death, respectively, in Illinois killing five people every hour, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Age, gender and family history are risk factors beyond our control. But the things we can change are high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes and obesity, lack of exercise and poor nutrition. The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chances of developing cardiovascular disease.

The screening will include total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, blood pressure, and cardiovascular education. The cost is $35. A 12-hour fast is required. To schedule an appointment, call MCDH at (815) 334-4536.