Friday, Nov. 18, 2011

AUGUSTA -- In this "Smart Heart" report we are looking at a new way to make sure your heart stays healthy.

We are teaming up with University Hospital to talk about their new mobile heart and vascular screening unit. Doctors call it the "heart cart."

It has the ability to transport simple screening tools wherever it is needed including:
-A basic lipid panel
-Glucose
-Height
-Weight
-Waist circumference

University says the "heart cart" can detect heart problems in people who are normal weight, don't smoke and are in generally good health.

The hospital was able to purchase the screening unit with an almost $46,000 dollar donation.

"We live in an area of the country where cardiovascular disease is the leading ravager of health, leading cause of death. Not breast cancer, not prostate cancer, not lung cancer. It's cardiovascular disease," said Dr. Mac Bowman, a cardiologist at University.

Bowman says many of the conditions causing cardiovascular disease can be prevented if they are caught early. He says it will save you money and time on expensive surgeries and procedures.