Hospital offers free blood pressure testing

Warwick — February is “American Heart Month,” and on Thursday, Feb. 9, Betty Zacharewicz, R.N., and Kathleen Nolin, R.N., offered free blood pressure testing at the Warwick office of Provident Bank. The one-day program was jointly sponsored as a community service by Provident Bank and St. Anthony Community Hospital. According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, are our nation’s Number 1 killer. High blood pressure is a key factor, and early detection and treatment is vital. The only way to discover if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked periodically. Blood pressure is measured using a medical instrument called a sphygmomanometer. Both Zacharewicz and Nolin are retired nurses, but to help combat heart disease, they offer blood pressure testing in the main lobby of St. Anthony’s on the third Friday of each month, from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. The service is free and no appointment is necessary. “Cardiac health and detection is a primary focus at our hospital,” said Leah Cerkvenik, executive vice president and administrator of St. Anthony’s. “Blood pressure testing is an important tool in the fight against heart disease.”