Free screenings

Free screenings

CORTLAND

Mercy Health Youngstown, formerly Humility of Mary Health Partners, offers free blood pressure, blood sugar and blood cholesterol screenings (finger stick) today from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Cortland SCOPE center, 125 N. Bank St.

Those wishing to take part should not eat or drink anything other than plain water for eight hours before the screening. Screenings, provided on a first-come, first-served basis, are provided through Mercy Health’s Neighborhood Health Watch program. For information, call 330-637-3010.

Neighborhood Health Watch provides free health screenings at the Cortland SCOPE center once a month. For dates and times call 330-480-2011.

TMH accreditation

WARREN

Trumbull Memorial Hospital has achieved the highest level of accreditation for a chest-pain center from the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care, called Chest Pain v5, meaning the hospital has a higher level of expertise in dealing with patients who present with symptoms of a heart attack.

“Heartburn and other digestive disorders are not usually a health emergency, but it can be difficult to distinguish what is causing any chest pain you are experiencing,” said Dr. Larry Woods, cardiologist at Trumbull Memorial Hospital. “Heartburn is very common and many treat chest pain by self-medicating. However, it is better to be safe and report chest pain or discomfort, especially if it’s a new symptom, to your doctor,” he said.

When chest pain strikes, it’s sometimes hard to know if the cause is something you ate or a heart attack. Heartburn tends to occur more frequently during the holiday season because people overindulge during meals. Symptoms of heartburn and heart attack can be quite similar, but the right diagnosis can be a matter of life and death.

“Chest pain signaling a heart attack involves uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center or left side of the chest that can be mild or strong. The discomfort lasts more than a few minutes, may go away or come back,” said Dr. Woods.

Evaluating plans

Many people lack access to a computer or just need help maneuvering through the health insurance Marketplace website, said Stephanie Martin, director of the Central Business Office and Patient Financial Services at ValleyCare Health System of Ohio.

Martin said ValleyCare counselors can assist individuals and their families who are evaluating the available health plans and determine if they’re eligible for Medicaid or other insurance options. They just have to call for an appointment.

ValleyCare Health is assisting the local community with the open-enrollment process at these locations on these dates:

Northside Medical Center

Main lobby: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Thursday through Jan. 28.

Emergency room lobby: 3 to 5 p.m. every Monday through Jan. 25.

Cafeteria: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Wednesday through Jan. 27.

Trumbull Memorial Hospital

Main lobby: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Thursday through Jan. 28.

Cafeteria: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Tuesday from today through Jan. 26.

For information or to make an appointment with an application counselor for enrollment assistance, call 330-884-2710 or 330-841-9335.