Lower Bucks Hospital hosted third annual health expo and cocktail reception in honor of American Heart Month
By Samantha Bambino
The Times
There are a lot of myths when it comes to heart health. Does drinking a glass of wine every day actually have benefits? What about fish oil? To set the record straight and help locals incorporate simple but healthy tactics into their daily routines, the third annual “Lower Bucks Hospital has HeART” event was held on Feb. 28 in honor of American Heart Month.
Upon walking into the lobby of the hospital, located at 501 Bath Road in Bristol, visitors were greeted a dozen tables featuring information and activities. A spacious one in the center held rows of raffle baskets packed with healthy snacks and food items, which were donated by local organizations like Bensalem’s Serenity Hospice.
On the outskirts were several exhibitors, including Bristol’s Ailsa Coughlan and Brad Berry of Love Grows CSA, or Community Supported Agriculture. The two grow fresh, organic food, which is then boxed and delivered to pickup sites in Bucks County such as Lower Bucks Hospital, Noble Earth in Bristol, Newtown Athletic Club and Medicine in Balance in Langhorne.
Buyers are able to purchase their share at the beginning of the season, with that initial payment serving as “seed money” for Coughlan and Berry, who put it toward necessary farming materials. Individuals can personally select which vegetables they’d like to receive over a span of 22 weeks, or opt for the “farmer’s choice box.” More information can be found at lovegrowscsa.com.
Next to Coughlan and Berry was a representative from Penn State Extension’s Nutrition Links, a program that offers health guidance for families and individuals with limited resources. Through classes at local religious, senior and community centers, participants can get a better handle on their dietary intake, physical activity and overall health.
From the Nutrition Links table, “Lower Bucks has HeART” attendees took home free literature on simple trail mix recipes and an in-depth nutritional guide on the the produce grown in Pennsylvania.
After browsing the informational tables, guests had the option of participating in two interactive sessions. The first, entitled “Ask Our Cardiologists,” was hosted by interventional cardiologist Sabu George. During the 30-minute presentation, George provided valuable information on various aspects of heart health while answering questions from the audience.
A major topic throughout the discussion was cholesterol. Since many in attendance mentioned they were taking medication for it, George went in-depth about the possibility of it causing heart disease.
“Cholesterol is part of the puzzle,” he said. “But it’s not the only part.”
George explained that the lining inside a human artery is identical to the inside of a mouth. When it gets damaged, it becomes inflamed and bumpy, causing white blood cells to flock to the area to help heal it. Overtime, these cells can build up and cause plaque, something that’s common in those who often smoke.
According to George, the chances of heart disease vary from person to person due to each individual’s genetic makeup. For example, someone weighing 600 pounds may have low cholesterol and virtually no plaque within their arteries. Still, he said there are preventative steps everyone can take, especially when it comes to our diet. George recommended any food ending in “berry” to be beneficial, as well as seven ounces of wine or two ounces of spirits on a regular basis.
After the cardiologist’s presentation, the Lower Bucks Hospital Dietary Team hosted “Bring Heart-Healthy Habits into the Kitchen.” During this session, attendees learned how to make several easy heart-healthy meals and snacks, and even had the chance to taste a few samples along the way.
Additional activities throughout the afternoon included free blood pressure checks, a live demonstration of how to perform hands-only CPR and a turn to spin the “Wheel of Health” for prizes.
Though the expo concluded at 2 p.m., “Lower Bucks has HeART” was far from over. At 5:30 p.m., the hospital and Artists of Bristol joined forces to host “The Healing Power of Art,” a celebration of the second anniversary of LBH’s Gallery of Local Artists. During the cocktail reception, guests were able to enjoy artwork, interact with the artists and purchase their favorite pieces.
An auction was also held with proceeds benefiting the Lower Bucks Hospital’s Hope Relief Fund, which assists hospital employees during times of financial hardship due to unforeseen medical conditions or personal crises.
The reception ended with the presentation of the “Dee Brown Lifetime of Service Award” to the 2018 recipient, chief nursing officer Patricia Bain, who was recognized for her admirable energy, enthusiasm and devotion to the success of LBH. ••
Samantha Bambino can be reached at sbambino@newspapermediagroup.com
