Baystate Medical Center to Hold Free Heart & Vascular Health Lecture Series

SPRINGFIELD — Baystate Medical Center will hold its popular free Heart & Vascular Health Lecture Series during the month of February beginning with a look at “Acute Chest Pain and Heart Attack” on Sunday, Feb. 3.

The Heart & Vascular Health Lecture Series, presented by the Baystate Heart & Vascular Program part of American Heart Month, will focus on presentations designed by Baystate Medical Center 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 will be held at the Baystate Health Education Center from noon to 2 p.m.

Dr. Evan Lau, an interventional cardiologist and director of the Cardiogenic Shock Program at Baystate Medical Center, will present the first of four free seminars at the Baystate Health Education Center on 361 Whitney Ave. in Holyoke. His presentation will focus on the warning signs of a heart attack, different types of heart attacks, as well as the latest treatments, prognosis, and recovery after heart attack.

The free lectures will continue with “Diabetes and Heart Disease” on Feb. 10, presented by Dr. Abraham Thomas, chair of the Department of Medicine at Baystate Medical Center. Diabetes is considered a major risk factor in the development of heart disease, affecting over 400 million people worldwide. Participants will learn about the different types of diabetes, how diabetes influences heart health, and what can be done to help control this serious risk factor.

On Feb. 17, Dr. E. Jesus Duffis, director of the Neurointerventional Surgery Division at Baystate Medical Center, will present “Advances in Stroke Treatment.” The session will focus on warning signs, treatments, and the latest advances to help minimize adverse effects and enhance recovery.

The series will conclude on Feb. 24 with “Surgical Treatment of Coronary Artery Disease 2019: Modern Treatment for an Age-Old Disease,” presented by Dr. Thomas Schwann, chief of Cardiac Surgery at Baystate Medical Center. Coronary artery bypass graft surgeries are some of the most commonly performed major operations today. Participants will learn who qualifies for this heart surgery and discover the latest advances in treatment for those who suffer from coronary artery disease.

Light, heart-healthy refreshments will be served at the lectures, and educational handouts on heart and vascular health will be provided. There will also be time for questions and answers. Parking is free.

Registration is required for each session by visiting baystatehealth.org/events or calling (413) 794-5200. The lecture series is sponsored by Health New England.