The Campbell River branch of the First Open Heart Society is helping to keep hearts beating at Campbell River Hospital.

The society recently made a  $4,573 donation to the Campbell River Hospital Foundation to purchase two Holter monitors for electrodiagnostics.

The Holter monitor is a portable device used to continuously monitor various electrical activities of the cardiovascular system for at least 24 hours.

The Holter monitor records electrical signals from the heart via a series of electrodes attached to the chest.

These electrodes are connected to a small piece of equipment that is attached to the patient’s belt or hung around the neck, and is responsible for keeping a log of the heart’s electrical activity throughout the recording period.

Formed in 1973, the First Open Heart Society provides patient support for those about to undergo heart surgery by those who have already ‘walked the path.’

The Campbell River branch holds one fundraiser each year – the Walk for Hearts, held the first Sunday in May.

All donations from this event stay in the community and are used for North Island heart patients, cardiac equipment for Campbell River Hospital and education for cardiac nurses and technicians.

Anyone who would like to support the doctors, nurses and other key members of Campbell River’s healthcare team can make a donation to the hospital through the Campbell River Hospital Foundation, online at www.crhospitalfoundation.ca or by calling 250-850-2418.