Hickory, NC – In observance of American Heart Month, Frye Regional Medical Center will be offering free cardiac risk assessments - consisting of a blood pressure check, a cholesterol screening and a glucose screening- on Thursday, February 23, 2006 from 7am-10:00am at the Hickory Foundation YMCA.

Coronary Heart Disease is a leading cause of death in the United States. Knowing your risk factors, the warning signs and how to respond quickly may be your best defense. Appointments are required for the screenings, and fasting for 10-12 hours prior to the screenings is recommended. To schedule an appointment, please call 828-315-3391 or 1-800-339-8758.

Frye Regional Medical Center, part of Tenet North Carolina, is a 355-bed acute care facility located at 420 North Center Street in Hickory, NC.  The hospital has been serving the medical and health care needs of Catawba County since 1911.  The hospital’s main campus includes a comprehensive heart center and cardiac rehab, orthopedics, bariatric surgery, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, pediatrics, center for neurosciences, cancer center and women’s pavilion.  Frye has several extended campuses to serve families throughout the area including: Wellness and Education Center which houses the Center For Diabetes Self-Management Care, perinatal education and community wellness classes; South Campus for psychiatric services; Viewmont and Tate Surgery Centers; Vein and Wound Center/Infusion Care; Pain Center; Piedmont Therapy, offering sports and industrial rehabilitation; an urgent care facility; FryeCare, an outpatient diagnostic facility; Alexander Campus, which provides 24 hour emergency care along with diagnostic and laboratory services and infusion care; plus HealthPoint, which provides extensive industrial services and programs to employers.

Frye Regional Medical Center is accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the nation’s oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency.  To learn more about the hospital, visit www.fryemedctr.com.