More than 81 million American adults are afflicted with one form or another of cardiovascular disease, according to the American Heart Association.

That’s more than one-third of the United States’ entire population.

While the statistics are staggering, there are ways to prevent heart disease and Wallace Thomson Hospital in Union is here to help.

The hospital held its 12th annual Heart Day on Monday, Feb. 15.

Participants were able to come to Wallace Thomson for free blood pressure checks and discounted heart healthy testing like cholesterol checks and chemistry panels. The event ran 7-10 a.m. and urged the community to “Be Good to Your Heart.”

The event’s purpose was clear — it was all about heart health.

And it wasn’t just Wallace Thomson on hand for the event, either. Other organizations — Morrison’s Food Service, Union Oil Mill, WBCU and the YMCA — also were there to offer those attending the event additional information on heart health, including heart-healthy recipe and snack ideas.

The Union Oil Mill shared seeds and education on growing a heart-healthy garden and Morrison’s provided nutritional information. YMCA reps also tested body mass index of those who attended the event using a hand-held analyzer to indicate body weight, fat and water content.

And, of course, the Wallace Thomson laboratory staff was on hand to take care of all the blood pressure and chemistry panel checks.

Hospital officials said the event was not only meant to offer members of the community an opportunity to learn about heart health, but also offer a service people could afford.

“During this time of economic change, this is a benefit utilized by community members who may not have insurance to get the necessary testing done to ensure their continued health,” said Union Hospital District CEO Bill Leonard. “By performing these tests at Wallace Thomson Hospital, Union physicians can have immediate access to test results thereby making faster, more educated decisions on that patient’s health.”

With more than one-third of the nation’s population suffering from one or more forms of cardiovascular disease, it’s important for people to have some of the check ups the hospital’s Heart Day provided.

Hospital officials said cholesterol, in particular, is a big concern.

Fortunately, Leonard said, the testing at Wallace Thomson — which was discounted on Monday — offers a good look at where a person’s cholesterol is and the accompanying factors.

Anyone who had one or more of the tests offered during this year’s Heart Day will have the results back within a week because all of the necessary work is done right here in Union.

More than 250 people participated in this year’s event and participants began lining up at the hospital as early as 6:15 a.m. Monday to take advantage of the tests, checks and information.

But hospital officials also want the public to know staying heart healthy isn’t just about getting a test done or having a blood pressure check once each year.

It’s an ongoing battle.

That’s why Wallace Thomson offers free blood pressure checks in the lobby area every Thursday from 1-3 p.m. and the hospital’s lab services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The lab offers a variety of services, including those offered on Heart Day and others like lipid panels which include results on total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides; thyroid panels; prostate-specific antigen, CBC; complete blood count; and comprehensive metabolic panels.

Wallace Thomson views this year’s Heart Day as a complete success.

“There are many people who use Heart Day as an annual reminder to check their health through this excellent testing and then following up with their physician,” Leonard said. “Heart Day makes Union healthier.”

CARDIOVASCULAR

DISEASE BY THE NUMBERS:

81.1 million

Number of American adults who have one or more types of cardiovascular disease — more than one-third of the United States’ total population.

831,272

Number of Americans who died from cardiovascular disease in 2006 — that equates to 34.3 percent of the total number of deaths in the country that year.

2,300

Number of Americans who die from cardiovascular disease every day.

SOURCE: American Heart Association

LIFE’S SIMPLE SEVEN:

The American Heart Association says there are seven simple ways to improve your heart health. They are:

• Get active.

• Control cholesterol.

• Eat better.

• Manage blood pressure.

• Lose weight.

• Reduce blood sugar.

• Stop smoking (if you do).

For more information on each of “Life’s Simple 7,” visit www.aha.org.