It is possible to change your lifestyle and in turn reverse the effects of poor lifestyle choices. To help, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Hutchinson is bringing the Coronary Health Improvement Project or CHIP to Hutchinson.

To learn more about the program, information sessions will be offered:

< 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12, and 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, in Conference Room E, at Hutchinson Community Hospital, 1095 State Highway 15 S.

< 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, and 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, in the library at Maplewood Academy, 700 Main St. N., Hutchinson.

Jere Clayburn will again serve as director. “We care about people’s health,” Claburn said. “We want to empower people to take care of their health.”

CHIP is designed to reduce the health risks associated with heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and obesity. It is a video-based, four-week lifestyle improvement program that meets from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, Jan 26-Feb. 26, in the library at Maplewood Academy, 700 Main St. N., Hutchinson.

Included in the CHIP program are class materials plus two HeartScreens. The first is a coronary risk assessment that takes place prior to starting the program. It includes a fasting lipid profile and blood sugar levels, lifestyle questionnaire including medical history and medications, and an assessment of height, weight, frame size, blood pressure and pulse.

The second assessment takes place at the end of the program, four weeks later, and measures changes in coronary risk factors and provides clinical feedback.

The public is encouraged to attend a free information session to learn more about the program.

For more information, call Clayburn at (320) 234-3645, or e-mail him at hutchinsonchip@gmail.com [2].

Kay Johnson is a staff writer at the Leader. She can be reached at johnson@hutchinsonleader.com [3]