Baystate Health to Hold Free Heart & Vascular Health Lecture Series Beginning Feb. 7

SPRINGFIELD — Baystate Health will hold its popular, free Heart & Vascular Health Lecture Series on Sundays during the month of February, beginning on Feb. 7 with Dr. Aaron Kugelmass, vice president and medical director, Heart & Vascular Services and chief of Cardiology for Baystate Health.

His session, “The COVID Heart: Effects of COVID-19 on the Heart, What We Know,” will provide a look at what doctors have learned about COVID-19’s adverse effects on the heart and treatments to offset illness.

The Heart & Vascular Health Lecture Series, presented by the Baystate Heart & Vascular Program as part of American Heart Month, will focus on presentations designed by Baystate Health physicians to inform attendees about the latest advances in heart and vascular care and how they can maintain or improve their heart and vascular health.

All lectures this year will be held from noon to 1 p.m. and will be virtual due to the pandemic and the limit placed on numbers of people who can gather indoors.

The free lectures continue on Feb. 14 with preventive cardiologist Dr. Quinn Pack of Baystate Cardiology in Springfield and Patrick Schilling, chief exercise physiologist with Baystate’s Heart & Vascular Program, who will present “Cardiac Risk Factors and Wellness in the Era of COVID-19.” They will discuss how changes in behavior have impacted cardiac risk factors during the pandemic and offer tips on what can be done to keep your heart healthy and strong despite the challenging times.

Baystate cardiologist Dr. Zachry Zichittella, who practices at Baystate Cardiology in Palmer, will present “Am I Having A Heart Attack?” on Feb. 21. His presentation will focus on what a heart attack is, the different symptoms associated with a heart attack, and the importance of taking action quickly.

The series will conclude on Feb. 28 with “The Heart’s Electrical System and Latest Treatments,” presented by Dr. Fadi Chalhoub of Baystate Cardiology in Springfield, Greenfield, and Northampton. He will review the role of the heart’s electrical system and discuss the latest technology available to treat dysrhythmias, including leadless pacemakers.

Registration is required for each session by visiting baystatehealth.org/heart.