By Jennifer Cook, assistant director of Student Health Services and nurse practitioner
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and February is designated Healthy Heart Month. The University of North Georgia (UNG) and Student Health Services will support this campaign by providing free cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose checks by appointment on the Dahlonega and Gainesville campuses during the month of February.
While aging and genetics cannot be controlled, intervention by early screening and making healthy lifestyle choices can help prevent the development of heart disease. There are many steps that can be taken:
Make an appointment with Student Health Services for a healthy heart screening. These screenings will take place in February on Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon. There will be no charge to students who have paid the health fee. The charge will be $10 for faulty and staff or currently enrolled students who have not paid the health fee.
To make an appointment, call 706-864-1948 for the Dahlonega Campus clinic or 678-696-2676 for the Gainesville Campus clinic. It is important to be fasting for cholesterol and glucose labs. This means no food or fluid, except water and black coffee, for at least eight hours. Call soon to reserve your appointment.