The Rams partnered with Edwards Lifesciences to host the “Off the Sidelines” heart screening event for community members in their locker room at SoFi Stadium. The attendees also participated in information sessions with cardiologists where they learned about various heart valve diseases.
“I think the population at risk for cardiovascular disease is relatively high in this part of the city,” said Dr. Naddi Marah. “It’s extremely important that we promote heart health and raise awareness about unaligned cardiovascular conditions that are undertreated in this community.”
The community members were able to get their blood pressure checked along with an EKG and echocardiogram. An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart which checks the chambers, valves, and muscles of the heart. It also checks the amount of blood being pumped into the body.
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“This area is extremely underserved for many years. As you know, some of the hospitals around here have closed,” said Dr. Dimitri Sherev. “Access to care is very important.”
Along with the one-on-one screening, the community members got a tour of SoFi Stadium. Rams safety Quentin Lake and his father, NFL legend Carnell Lake, also attended the information sessions and got heart screenings.
“As athletes, sometimes you just don’t know what your body is dealing with, what your heart is dealing with,” Quentin said. “For the Rams to be able to provide this opportunity to do a screening for 80 individuals, it’s fantastic.”
The info session explained how heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, regardless of gender or ethnic group. Black Americans tend to develop heart disease at a younger age than other ethnic groups.
“Heart health is a serious issue globally but also in Los Angeles and it’s been an issue with our own family,” Carnell said. “We want to make sure that people can at least be aware that there’s resources out there for them.”
The doctors also explained how exercise and healthy eating choices can aid in the prevention of heart disease. Dr. Robert Gillespie mentioned the importance of knowing personal metrics like blood pressure, hemoglobin, and heart valve issues.
“These are things that we have to do in our communities because we are the ones dying the most of heart-related diseases,” Gillespie said. “The Rams to do this and to bring a knowledge about heart disease to our communities … it all comes together.”
Nina Franqui Holloman learned how Black women are more likely to get heart disease compared to their white counterparts.
“The statistics blew me away, African American women are on the top of every single one of those statistics and that’s pitiful,” Franqui Holloman said. “We’re being decimated by the things we don’t know.”
Randy Danner learned about the event through his perks from being a season ticket holder. The info sessions showed him how to make lifestyle changes to prevent heart disease.
“I’ve never done anything like that before,” Danner said about the heart screening. “The Rams, they’re always been involved in the L.A. community, from kids to adults.”
