The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

The Chinook ambulance crew, in conjunction with the Sweet Medical Center, will be offering baseline heart testing during the health fair at the Sugarbeet Festival on Friday, September 7. Ambulance crew members will use 12-lead heart monitors from the Blaine I ambulances to perform the ECG tests. A completed baseline ECG report for each person tested will be sent to their primary medical provider and Northern Montana Hospital. Should a cardiac event occur in the future, the baseline reports can be used by medical personnel to assess the extent of damage to an individual’s heart.

Dan Friede with the Blaine I ambulance crew said, “We will have two heart monitors available to use for testing during the health fair. The test takes about 15-20 minutes per patient. Testing involves attaching electrodes to the chest and extremities.” There are no pre-test restrictions as far as fasting or other reduced activities.

The testing produces an electrical tracing of the muscles of the heart at work (see graphic with story). Each patient will complete a form noting their primary care provider that should receive the report. Sweet Medical Center will distribute the ECG forms to the selected primary care providers and send another copy to Northern Montana Hospital.

There is no charge for the test. The ECG testing will be held at Wallner Hall from 7am-10am. The Senior Center will be providing free transportation between the Villa/Senior Center and Wallner Hall. Call the Senior Center (357-2648) for information about rides and take a few minutes to establish baseline data that could save your life in case of a cardiac problem.