Dignity Health St. John’s Hospitals Recognize February as American Heart Month

Month of awareness serves as a reminder to make heart health a priority

OXNARD, CA – February 1, 2021 – St. John’s Regional Medical Center (SJRMC) and St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital (SJPVH), members of Dignity Health Central Coast, recognize American Heart Month and the importance of cardiac health, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States, and the medical experts at St. John’s urge community members to take action toward better heart health. 

Adopting healthy habits such as exercising regularly, maintaining routine cardiac screenings, eating heart-healthy foods, and alleviating stress can have a positive impact on overall health and help prevent heart disease.

“The pandemic has been incredibly stressful for many and has deterred some individuals from keeping up with routine health screenings, including cardiac care,” says Robert Streeter, MD, Chief Medical Officer of St. John’s Regional Medical Center. “We encourage our community to make their health a priority by keeping up with their routine care and seeking medical attention at the onset of any symptoms.” 

For cardiac emergencies such as stroke and heart attack, the emergency departments at SJRMC and SJPVH are safe and ready to care for the community. A delay in care can make all the difference in health outcomes.

The comprehensive cardiac program at St. John’s features: emergency heart care, various treatments for heart disease, including non-invasive cardiology services, surgical heart, and vascular interventions, electrophysiology treatments, beating heart surgery, minimally invasive valve repair/replacement, and a dedicated outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program. 

To learn more about cardiac services at St. John’s Hospitals, please call St. John’s Cardiovascular Coordinator, Lorraine Herrick, RN, at (805) 216-0502.

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About Dignity Health St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital and St. John’s Regional Medical Center
St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo and St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard are members of Dignity Health Central Coast, an integrated network of top quality hospitals, with physicians from the most prestigious medical schools, and comprehensive outpatient services - all recognized for quality, safety and service. Both hospitals are supported by an active philanthropic Foundation to help meet the growing health care needs of our communities. Hospitals in the Dignity Health Central Coast region also include Arroyo Grande Community Hospital in Arroyo Grande, French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria. Learn more at DignityHealth.org/PleasantValley and DignityHealth.org/StJohnsRegional.