Addressing the latest advances in heart health, Hawaii Pacific Health will host a free community health event, “Valentine in Paradise: Healthier Hearts for a Healthier Hawaii.”
Featuring physicians from the Hawaii Pacific Health family of medical centers, the event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 6, at the Ala Moana Hotel. The program will also be available via videoconference at Pali Momi Medical Center in Aiea and Wilcox Medical Center on Kauai.
On Kauai, the videoconference will be preceded by Wilcox Medical Center’s monthly “Walk with a Doc” event. The public is invited to walk around the Wilcox campus with Dr. Andrew So, cardiologist at Kauai Medical Clinic, beginning at 7 a.m. A free healthy breakfast and talk on heart health will follow the walk. Then, participants can stay for the “Valentine in Paradise” videoconference.
“Cardiovascular disease continues to be a major threat to our population and is being diagnosed in increasing numbers in the U.S., with Hawaii among the states with the largest number of new diagnoses,” said Dr. Mark Grattan, program co-chair and cardiothoracic surgeon at Straub Heart Center. “We’ve assembled a panel of experts to share their knowledge about the heart as well as advancements in technology that are allowing us to provide more treatment options for patients and achieve better outcomes.”
“Valentine in Paradise” will feature some of Hawaii’s most respected medical experts specializing in cardiology who will discuss the latest treatments, procedures and tests available. Other topics will include heart healthy lifestyles, ways to avoid heart disease and how to deal with a diagnosis.
Each presentation will be introduced by Dr. John Funai, cardiologist at Kauai Medical Clinic. Speakers and presentation topics will include:
- “How the Heart Works,” presented by Alyssa Barnes Onzuka, registered nurse in the Critical Care Intermediate Unit at Straub Medical Center, will focus on the anatomy of the heart and how it functions.
- “Fixing a Heart Valve Without Surgery,” presented by Dr. Jared Oyama, interventional cardiologist at Straub Medical Center, will focus on alternate ways of replacing or repairing heart valves that doesn’t require traditional open heart surgery.
- “Echocardiographic Imaging of the Heart: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words” with Dr. Chari Hart, echocardiologist at Straub Medical Center, will explain how ultrasound is used to provide images of the heart.
- “From Skipped Beats to Sudden Death,” presented by Dr. Cyrus Szeto-Wong, cardiac electrophysiologist at Pali Momi Medical Center, will cover the various types of irregular heartbeats and the latest treatment options available due to new technology.
- “Signs of Blocked Arteries and How to Fix It,” with Dr. John Kao, interventional cardiologist at Pali Momi Medical Center, will focus on signs and symptoms of blocked arteries and treatment options.
- “Food for Thought: Cardiac Rehab and Lifestyle Education," with Alyssa Barnes Onzuka, registered nurse in the Critical Care Intermediate Unit at Straub Medical Center, will cover how lifestyle changes, such as increased exercise and a heart-healthy diet, can help people avoid heart disease, or sometimes even reverse it.
There will also be a panel discussion with the medical experts answering as many questions from the audience as time permits. Blood pressure checks will also be available on a first-come, first-served limited basis at the Ala Moana Hotel.
Registration for the video conference at Pali Momi Medical Center is full, but those interested may call Hawaii Pacific Health Conference Services at 808-522-3469 to be placed on a waitlist.
There is no cost to attend. For more information, call Hawai‘i Pacific Health Conference Services at 808-522-3469.
On Kauai, call 808-245-1198 for more information or to register for the “Walk with a Doc” or videoconference.