Staying
healthy
Jas Sandhu, MD
Pulmonology
PeaceHealth
Medical Group
Specialty Clinic
1615 Delaware St.
Longview, WA 98632
360-414-2730
Take your heart to
the right place for care
WHAT YOU DON ’ T KNOW
can’t hurt you, right? Sadly,
in matters of the heart, the belief that “ignorance is bliss”
is more likely to lead you down the path to heart attack,
stroke, and even premature death!
PeaceHealth Medical Group has launched a fast,
simple, effective way for you to find out just how
you’re doing inside. Our HeartCheck cardiac screening
program, available at PeaceHealth Medical Group this
winter, will check your cardiac health using multiple
tools, including:
Full 12-lead EKG analysis
Nonfasting lipid panel (cholesterol)
Metabolic risk assessment
Blood pressure check
Body mass index (BMI) check
And more!
HeartCheck cardiac screening is available to you
by appointment without a physician referral in a
convenient walk-in location. You can pay the very low
cost of your HeartCheck out of pocket, without using
medical insurance.
Not sure you’re at risk for heart disease? The numbers
warn us that we need to pay attention! One of every three
Americans has high blood pressure, and your risk of heart
disease goes up significantly if you:
Have high cholesterol
Are over age 50
Are postmenopausal
Have a family history of heart disease
Are overweight
Have a history of smoking
Have diabetes
Have sleep apnea
Schedule your HeartCheck at PeaceHealth today.
Pulmonary Rehab
brings better breathing
J ACK KEOL KE R I S
breathing easier. In 1980, Keolker—
pictured above with his wife, Luanne—was diagnosed with
sarcoidosis, a rare, incurable lung disease, as well as chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma.
He took prednisone for 15 years and put on 90 pounds.
His provider gradually took him off the drug, but Keolker
continued to get worse and was moving very slowly. After
several tests, his condition was deemed severe.
Keolker was pleased that the VA hospital in Portland
said he could have his treatment at PeaceHealth St. John,
allowing him to get care close to home without traveling
to Portland twice a week. His PeaceHealth provider,
Jas Sandhu, MD, referred Keolker to the Pulmonary
Rehabilitation program at PeaceHealth St. John.
On Keolker’s first day, cardiac exercise specialist Jessica
Gehrke, PT, explained everything, introduced him to all
the clients, and asked when he could start.
“I can start today,” he said. Gehrke set him up with a
card to follow and got him started slowly; he’s gradually
progressed to a one-hour workout.
Keolker was determined to do the program, emphasizing,
“You get out of it what you put into it.” He likes the other
clients, and they encourage each other. They come away
from the sessions feeling better and having more energy.
Gehrke and the other Pulmonary Rehabilitation staff
help Keolker set goals—his weight is down, and he wants
to keep going. After completing two courses of Pulmonary
Rehabilitation, he’s on the maintenance program. He also
attends nutrition and health classes after his Pulmonary
Rehabilitation sessions each week and has asked his wife to
go, too. It helps them practice a healthier lifestyle together.
After two years in the program, Keolker’s lung capacity has
improved significantly. “It’s inspiring to see oneself progress
and walking farther,” he shares. “I’m not as winded.”
Breathe Easier
When:
Thursday, Feb. 13,
6 to 7 p.m.
Where:
Women’s Health
Pavilion, 1660 Delaware St.,
Longview
Info:
Learn about common
lung problems such as
asthma, COPD, and lung
cancer. Jas Sandhu, MD, will
share prevention tips and
treatment options. Call
360-501-3701
to register.
TALK WITH A DOC
2
House
call
Teen Heart
Screening
Testing for sudden cardiac arrest:
• Saturday, Feb. 22
• PeaceHealth Medical Group
Lakefront
• Free for first 200 students
(ages 13 to 19)
For more details or to sign up,
visit
