Health Fairs in Your Area

Needing your blood pressure checked? Wonder if your blood glucose/blood sugar level is normal? Have problems with heartburn? Curious about what immunizations and vaccines you or your child is supposed to have? Know someone that might want this type of information?

Student pharmacists from the UAMS College of Pharmacy hold health fairs throughout the fall and spring all over central Arkansas. At these health fairs we provide free screening for blood pressure and blood glucose and information about immunizations/vaccines and heartburn. Free cholesterol screenings are available and health fairs as noted.

See the following dates and locations to find a health fair you may be able to attend. Also look at the Kroger Flu Shot dates below to find more screening dates at your local Kroger.

  • Feb 18: Legislative Health Fair
    Arkansas State Capitol

Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance that is found in everyone.  It helps you remain healthy by doing things such as building cell membranes; however, having too much cholesterol can be a bad thing.  A desirable total cholesterol value is less than 200 mg/dL.  Total cholesterol values of 240 mg/dL and above are called “high cholesterol”.  Total cholesterol values between 200 and 239 mg/dL are considered borderline high.  There are two types of cholesterol: LDL & HDL.  It is important to know your value for both of these.

LDL is bad cholesterol.  Having too much LDL cholesterol can cause it to a build up in your arteries.  This can lead to serious problems such as heart attack and stroke.  In the table below you will find the normal value for LDL cholesterol levels.

HDL is good cholesterol.  It carries bad cholesterol (LDL) away from the arteries.  Just like having a high LDL puts you at a higher risk for heart disease, having a low HDL also puts you at a higher risk for heart disease.  In the table below you will find the goal value for HDL cholesterol.  

Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in the body.  They come from food as well as your body.  High triglyceride levels are often found along with high cholesterol.  Just like with high LDL and low HDL, high triglycerides can lead to a higher risk of heart disease and stroke.

LDL Cholesterol Levels HDL Cholesterol Levels Triglyceride Levels
Less than 100 mg/dL Optimal    Men   Women Less than 150 mg/dL Normal
100-129 mg/dL Near/Above Optimal Low
Less than 40 mg/dL
 Low
Less than 50 mg/dL
 150-199 mg/dL Borderline High
130-159 mg/dL Borderline High 200-499 mg/dL High
160-189 mg/dL High Ideal
60 mg/dL and above
 Ideal
60 mg/dL and above
 500 mg/dL and above Very High
190 mg/dL and above Very High

 

Regular cholesterol level screenings are very important.  They show you how close your cholesterol values are to normal.  Below are some ways to improve your cholesterol levels:

Follow a healthy eating plan (see the back of this sheet for more info)
Increase physical activity
If you smoke, quit
Keep high blood pressure controlled

  • Pharmacy FAQs about prescription and over-the-counter medications
  • Diabetes info
  • Heartburn info
  • Immunization info
  • Hypertension/High blood pressure info
  • Tobacco Awareness info
  • Tuberculosis info