Karen Wyble, registered nurse at the Heart and Vascular Hospital, was the guest speaker at the St. Martin Volunteers for Family and Community meetings. She explained the differences between Heart Hospital and other hospitals, stressing that the Heart Hospital was a non-traditional model.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women.

Karen stated that the possible symptoms of a heart attack were chest pain, severe pain in the jaw, neck, shoulder, or arm, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, extreme fatigue and body swelling.

She also discussed risk factors and physical traits, such as age, race, obesity, body shape and height.

She also discussed “HeartVantage,” a free wellness service designed around your heart.

Elsie Castille presided over the Breaux Bridge meeting, and Iva Theriot presided over the Catahoula meeting.

Barbara Latiolais was hostess for the Catahoula meeting.

Mini-demonstrations were given on new baking utensils, dressing up a dish-soap bottle, bread dough ornaments and scarves.

Members were reminded of the AARP meeting, Cultural Heritage Workshop, Wanda Landry Scholarship and the one day educational trip to the Bayou Teche Museum in New Iberia on Thursday, March 24.

Members made plans to attend the annual convention in Alexandria April 12-14.