The Jemison Fire Department is hosting an event Thursday night, July 16 that could save your life.

Two technicians from Mississippi will hold a healthy heart seminar at 7 p.m. with important information about cardiovascular health.

There will also be cardiovascular screenings available upon request, as well as free blood pressure, pulse rate and oxygen level checks from 6:30 until 8 p.m.

The technicians, Wayne and Winky Touchstone, will bring a Digital Pulsewave Analyzer (DPA), a state-of-the-art, FDA-approved machine that is able to perform cardiovascular screenings without drawing blood.

“It actually saved our lives,” said Winky Touchstone, who was introduced to the technology by a medical doctor in 2004. “It gives you a grade, and it confirms where you are — your cardiovascular age, blood flow, if your heart is getting enough rest.”

At age 60, she received a reading of F-80. The number refers to cardiovascular age while the letter is an overall “grade” of cardiovascular health.

Just as an “F” is a poor grade academically, it is also signifies poor heart health.

Also, Touchstone’s cardiovascular age was 20 years higher than her actual age.

“I had no idea I was that close to a heart attack or stroke,” she said.

Just how does a DPA work?

By clipping a probe on the fingertip, it utilizes pulsewave technology to read heart rate, hydration, hardening of the arteries, blood flow in the large and small arteries, and blood flow in the peripheral veins. And it’s non-invasive (does not draw blood).

All testing including blood pressure, pulse rate and oxygen level checks will be free with the exception of cardiovascular screening, which will require a small fee.

The seminar is free to the general public.

“We educate people on what we’ve learned on helping to improve cardiovascular disease,” Touchstone said.

Everyone is encouraged to attend.

The Jemison Fire Department is located on Main Street, across the railroad tracks just west of U.S. Highway 31.

“The community needs to come out and take advantage of this important event,” coordinator Donna Ellison said.

For more information, contact Jemison Fire Chief Bobby Tucker at 688-3332, Ellison at 389-4742, or Touchstone at (601) 433-0389.