Health fair draws big crowd

More than 220 people braved a snowstorm recently to attend Kalispell Regional Medical Center’s second annual Heart Health Fair.

Held at Flathead Valley Community College, the fair attracted people from as far away as Boise, Idaho. Statistics from registration showed 65 percent of guests came from Kalispell, 13 percent from Columbia Falls, 9 percent from Whitefish and the rest from Lakeside, Marion, Martin City, Polson and Somers.

More people said they learned about the fair by newspaper (48 percent) compared to radio (21 percent).

By far the most popular screening, the blood glucose and cholesterol screening, attracted 150 participants. Other tests included The Summit’s muscle, bone fat and water measurements and a peripheral artery disease screening.

Visitors gained health information such as blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, sleep patterns and emotional health, with three people screened for depression. Between booths and screenings, guests listened to three members of the hospital’s cardiac team.

Cardiologist Dr. Thomas Amidon discussed women and heart disease (see related story), heart surgeon Dr. Drew Kirshner spoke on common heart problems and procedures and Dr. Ilyas Colombowala, an electrophysiologist, spoke about heart rhythm disorders treated by pacemakers, internal defibrillators and more.

Hospital official announced that they have begun working on the third Heart Health Fair to be held in February 2013 as part of heart month.