Prevention and Education

Knowing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack or stroke can mean the difference between a full recovery and long term disability.  When you recognize the signs you should act promptly and seek medical attention by calling 911.  Tell them you are having symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.

Symptoms

Heart Attack Symptoms

  • Discomfort in the chest lasting more than a few minutes, or that goes away and returns. It can feel like squeezing, uncomfortable pressure, fullness or pain.
  • Discomfort in other areas of the upper body: symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
  • Shortness of breath may occur with or without chest discomfort.
  • Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or light-headedness.

Stroke Symptoms

  • Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
  • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
  • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
  • Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Symptoms

  • Leg or hip pain during walking that stops at rest.
  • Numbness, tingling or weakness in the legs.
  • Burning or aching pain in feet or toes at rest.
  • Sore on leg or foot that will not heal.
  • Cold legs or feet.
  • Color change in skin of legs or feet.
  • Loss of hair on legs.

Health Tools

Mercy is your resource for learning how to make a healthy lifestyle attainable. Check out the information available here by clicking on each topic highlighted for details.

Other Services

Heart2Heart

Mercy offers the Heart2Heart screening that takes about one hour and includes complete cholesterol and glucose screening; Body Mass Index (BMI) assessment, one-on-one consultation to review your results, personalized tips for a heart-healthy lifestyle, complimentary neck and shoulder massage or Rx for Fitness pedometer, referral for follow-up if needed and a print-out of your results.

For more information
(319) 213-1573

To schedule
(319) 861-7778

Speakers Bureau

Mercy Speakers Bureau is a source of information and education on health-related issues. The Bureau provides speakers to groups, clubs, businesses, schools and organizations. Presentations are usually 20-30 minutes long, with additional time for questions. Arrangements should be made at least four weeks in advance. Topics we address include heart disease, women and heart disease, prevention, cardiac pulmonary rehab, congestive heart failure, heart arrhythmias, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, knowing your numbers (cholesterol, blood pressure), diabetes, asthma, COPD and smoking cessation topics.

To arrange for a Speaker fill out a request form or call (319) 398-6086.

CT Calcium Exam

Mercy offers a CT Calcium Scoring Test to predict your risk for coronary heart disease. It's quick, non-invasive and detects calcium in the arteries leading to the heart, indicating that atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries) has begun. If you have risk factors for coronary heart disease (family history, or if you smoke, have high blood pressure or other indicators), this is a great preventative step for your overall health.

Cost
The test costs $99.

To Schedule
Test must be ordered by your doctor. by calling Centralized Scheduling at (319) 861-7778.

PAD Screenings

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) refers to diseases of the blood vessels outside the heart and brain, most often a narrowing of the arteries carrying blood to various parts of the body. PAD is the leading cause of disability among people over age 50 and in those with diabetes. Symptoms are often dismissed as a normal part of aging. Early detection is key to preventing complications from PAD like heart disease or stroke.

To Schedule
Contact Mercy at (319) 221-8567 for screening in your area.

VascULearn (Vascular) Screening

Early detection of heart conditions and screenings for stroke can save your life.  That's why Mercy offers tests for:

  • Carotid
  • Aortic
  • Peripheral artery disease (PAD)

Tests are offered each Tuesday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Mercy Imaging Center, Mercy Health Plaza on Council Street.  In addition to receiving your test results within days, Mercy's staff will provide education during your screening session on avoiding cardiovascular or cerebrovascular issues, PAD, diabetes and develop proper solutions with your diet and exercise. After receiving results, Mercy's staff will be available to help you interpret them and customize a plan for you. Learn more here.

Cost
Only $37.50 for Carotid; $37.50 for Aortic; with purchase of either or both screenings you receive a FREE PAD screening. 

To Schedule
Physician referral required. Contact Mercy's Centralized Scheduling at (319) 861-7778.