Many residents are in great need of cardiovascular care.  However, due to the lack of insurance and the inability to pay for treatment these patients do not have needed access for life threatening conditions such as chest pain.  Recognizing these issues, the Health Wagon held the first ever free cardiac clinic in the area with Dr. Harry Turner, a Cardiologist with Cardiovascular Assoicates in Kingsport, TN.  Dr. Turner has expertise in all aspects of General Cardiology and has special interests in Echocardiography and Nuclear Cardiology.  Dr. Joe Smiddy, a Pulmonologist, and Ashley Austin, a medical student from the Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine, a part of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, assisted Dr. Turner with the clinic.    

Numerous cardiac patients from the Health Wagon were evaluated for coronary artery disease, murmurs, irregularities, failure, arrhythmias and general cardiovascular complaints.  The patients underwent preliminary analysis the week before the clinic to determine areas of greatest need as well as height and weight checks, blood sugar and urine screenings, and electrocardiograms (EKGs).  Several patients were referred for further diagnostic testing and improved care.  Dr. Turner will see a few of these patients for follow-up care in Kingsport.    Future Cardiac Clinics are being planned, contact us for more information.