Avon, CO – The Avon Recreation Center will be hosting free blood screenings on Monday, August 8th from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and on Friday, August 19th from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A Community Health Advocate will provide individual consultation on a first-come-first served basis; the consultations will take approximately 20 minutes. Drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water the day before and fasting 10-12 hours prior to the blood screening will provide more accurate results.

Eagle County Public Health conducted a needs assessment of Eagle County residents in 2005 with multiple community partners. Despite being noted as a “healthy” County, the assessment revealed the number one cause of death among Eagle County residents was cardiovascular disease (CVD).

CVD is caused by risk factors such as diabetes, smoking, overweight/obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, life expectancy could be increased by seven years if all forms of cardiovascular disease were eliminated.

Vail Valley Medical Center received a Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, and Pulmonary Disease grant from Denver Health to conduct FREE screens of uninsured and underinsured Eagle County resident for cholesterol, blood sugars, blood pressure, and body mass index to assess for cardiovascular risk. A blood sample is taken using the finger prick method. Test results include total cholesterol, breakdown of HDL, LDL, sugar levels, triglycerides, height and weight, and blood pressure. Results are immediate and will be discussed between you and the Community Health Advocate.

For additional information on the free blood screenings, please contact Claudia Hilty, with the Vail Valley Medical Center at 471-3258.