University of Scranton students were healthy heart heroes Feb. 23 when they brought the third annual Healthy Heart Fair to The Mall at Steamtown. The fair allowed area residents to take advantage of free heart health education, screenings and giveaways.
 

The Exercise Science Club organized the fair. The club’s president, Greg Colvin, an exercise science major from Nazareth, said it was extremely important to share students’ knowledge with the community.

 “Heart disease it is the No. 1 killer of women and is very common in men, so we wanted to raise awareness in the Scranton community through collaboration of future health professionals,” said Colvin. 

The screenings offered at the fair included blood pressure readings, administered by the Registered Nurses Association, percent body fat tests, presented by the Exercise Science Club, and free heart risk assessment, provided by the Community Health Education Club. 

Several area residents were grateful for the free screenings presented at the fair. 

“It’s great that they are bringing this information to the community,” said Craig Roberts of Waymart, who took a blood pressure screening to check to make sure his medicine was keeping his blood pressure at the correct levels.

Other campus groups involved in the fair included Phi Epsilon Kappa, the Honor Society for Exercise Science majors, which presented an interactive exhibit about the benefits of using Wii Fit; the Physical Therapy Club, which offered information about how to increase heart health through decreasing stress; and the Leahy Clinic, which provided information about the services of the clinic, including physical therapy, nutrition counseling and exercise classes.

Also involved were the Student Occupational Therapy Association, which provided education about how to live optimally with a heart condition, and the Center for Health Education and Wellness, which presented examples of healthy meals. The University’s crew team was also present, demonstrating how to correctly use exercise equipment for a cardio workout. 

Colvin also expressed thanks to the American Heart Association, which provided pamphlets and giveaways such as jump ropes and stress balls.

The Healthy Heart Fair began two years ago as an assigned project on worksite health promotion and has since grown into the Exercise Science Club’s largest event. The club is moderated by Exercise Science and Sport Instructor Paul Cutrufello, Ph.D. cand.