Saturday 29 August we opened our doors for Heart in Balancea morning entirely dedicated to heart health, prevention and the question that many people have been carrying around with them for some time: How are things actually going with my heart?
From 9 o'clock onwards, our waiting area filled up with people who had consciously chosen to free up that morning for themselves, and for their hearts. Some came with a specific complaint that they had been putting off getting checked out for a while. Others came without a specific reason, just to be sure. Both reasons were equally welcome, because that is precisely what Hart in Balans is all about: not waiting until your body tells you itself, but asking for it yourself.
A morning of blood tests, brunch and clarity
Whoever registered for the FidLabblood test provided a complete picture of his or her cardiovascular risk, hormonal balance and biological age. Fasting from the evening before, twenty minutes later an arm full of answers. Between the blood draw and the results there was a well-catered brunch, and room to converse with other attendees – people who, often for the first time, admitted out loud that they sometimes worried about their hearts, and how relieved they were to finally have that checked out.
Following the blood draw, there was time for the catered brunch, followed by the keynotes on heart health and prevention, given by our cardiologists. No dry theory, but concrete, relatable explanations about the signals that are often ignored and why ‘I feel fine’ is not always the same as ‘my heart is healthy’.
Why we keep doing this: the story of Kris
Not every story from that morning is about Hart in Balans itself. Some stories show precisely why we consider preventative cardiological screening so important. Like Kris's story.
At the age of 65, Kris asked his GP whether he should have his heart checked preventatively. Without specific symptoms, that did not seem immediately necessary. On the advice of his daughter, who works at Mediport Medical Center, he nevertheless had a preventive heart check done.
Following the cardiological pathway, the cardiologist decided there was sufficient reason for a cardiac CT scan: There was a suspicion of a narrowing. During the discussion, it also emerged that Kris snored loudly and often did not feel rested – reason enough to refer him to a respiratory physician as well.
The result: a stent was placed to treat the narrowing. In addition, a sleep study revealed that Kris stopped breathing up to forty times an hour. In the meantime, he uses a sleep mask for sleep apnoea, and returns for an annual check-up.
Without that preventative screening, this likely would only have come to light at a point when very few choices remained. That is precisely why we believe in “to measure is to know”: not to frighten people, but to give them the clarity they had sometimes been seeking for years.
What the participants said
The reactions afterwards spoke for themselves:
“Very pleased with how my routine check-up at the cardiologist went. Very friendly staff, spick and span, everything was discussed properly... Nothing but praise!”
“Comprehensive examination by the cardiologist. All questions were answered well, friendly staff and in a word: Top-notch service.”
“Very impressed by the warm welcome and the dedication of the team! Very pleasant consultation with the cardiologist where everything was explained very clearly and in detail.”
“Fantastic experience. From reception to examinations to consultations professional, correct, explanation when asked. Plenty of time is taken to guide you properly.”
Thank you
To everyone who came on Saturday, shared their story, or simply took the step to sign up for a FidLab blood test: thank you. You made this morning what it was.
Did you have a FidLab blood test taken yourself during Heart in Balance? Your results are currently being processed, and you will receive more information about this shortly. Questions in the meantime? Call us on 03/318.70.70 or email us at [email protected].
This was only the beginning. We are already looking forward to the next edition of Hart in Balans. 💙
In collaboration with Vitology & FidLab.
Catering was provided by Fruit basket Antwerp