Western Baptist Hospital’s new online Heart Care Center features a risk assessment that will give viewers immediate feedback on their chances of having a heart attack.

“During that series, people in our area became very interested in determining their risk for heart attack,” said Dona Rains, Director of Marketing.

The hospital’s online Heart Care Center was already in development when the TV series aired. However, the importance of the heart risk assessment and immediate feedback for the general public became apparent after screenings showed a variety of health problems in each of the eight series participants, including one who required open-heart surgery.

“One in six people has undiagnosed heart disease,” Rains said, “and many people walk around with chest pain without seeking medical attention.”

The online questions range from one’s family history and smoking habits to weight and cholesterol. Immediate feedback outlines the visitor’s risks and offers information on screenings.

In addition to the assessment, the new online Heart Care Center also includes searchable, in-depth care guides, as well as guidance for pursuing and maintaining healthy lifestyles. It features multimedia presentations to educate users on the anatomy of their heart and heart treatments and procedures.

“Our Web site already featured extensive information on heart disease, diagnosis and treatment,” Rains said, “but the new Heart Care Center puts it in one easy-to-find location with exciting interactive features that will help visitors determine their own risk factors.”

If a Web site visitor leaves his contact information with the assessment, a Baptist Health Line nurse will contact him to discuss his results and provide information on area screenings.

Chest Pain and Stroke Hotline: Phone 1-800-575-1911

For help recognizing the symptoms of heart attack and stroke, phone the Chest Pain Hotline at 1-800-575-1911 to speak with a registered nurse at Western Baptist Hospital. In an emergency, phone 911 or visit your nearest emergency room.

See the assessment in the new Heart Care Center section of the hospital’s Web site at westernbaptist.com. Western Baptist offers Internet access in its library, located in the hospital basement, or at either of the hospital’s two Information Stations, located in the main entrance and in the atrium of Doctors Office Building 2.