Planned Parenthood of Indiana Offers Reduced-Price Cholesterol Tests

Planned Parenthood of Indiana will offer reduced-price cholesterol tests with an office visit in the majority of its health centers throughout the month of February. The campaign to offer five-dollar testing will take place during American Heart Month and Go Red for Women's National Wear Red Day on February 5.

Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States. An alarming 90 percent of women have one or more risk factors for heart disease. One of the main risk factors, high cholesterol, can be controlled and treated. Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in the blood and the body's cells. It can build up in the walls of the arteries, reduce blood flow, and lead to a heart attack or stroke. Many people have high cholesterol and don't know it, that's why testing is so important.

It's a cause that's very personal for PPIN. In December, an employee of the organization's Merrillville health center died unexpectedly of a suspected heart attack at the age of 35. Jori Smith was active, vibrant and full of life. It was a huge loss to the Planned Parenthood family and to her relatives, including her young daughter.

Jori's mother, Kathy Smith, says the campaign is a wonderful way to remember her daughter. "It's hard to believe someone as full of life as Jori was can be gone," Smith said. "I want women of any age to be aware of their bodies and get regular check-ups, including cholesterol testing."

The tests will be reduced from $16 to $5 at PPIN health centers in Avon, Bloomington, Columbus, Evansville, Fort Wayne, Hammond, Lafayette, Madison, Merrillville, Muncie, Indianapolis: Castleton, Indianapolis: Eastside, Indianapolis: Midtown, Indianapolis: Southside, Richmond, Terre Haute, Valparaiso, Warsaw and Mishawaka.

Common risk factors for heart disease, other than cholesterol, include: high blood pressure, smoking, lack of physical activity, obesity, diabetes, use of diet pills, stress, some hormonal contraception, alcohol use and illegal drug use.