It's never too late to take charge of your health.

That's the message behind a four-week series of Coronary Health Improvement Project (CHIP) classes being offered in the mid-valley through Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital. The program will run Feb. 3-28.

The program will be led by Dr. John Bailey and Patricia Clarkson, RN, along with other health care professionals. Sessions will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital. Tuition is $190 for individuals, $290 per couple or $50 for alumni. The tuition includes two heart health screenings, textbooks, food, personalized counseling, 16 health and lifestyle lectures, a natural foods cookbook and alumni support meetings.

The program's goal is to help you lower high blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, angina and depression. Proponents say the program can help you lower your cholesterol level from 10 to 20 percent on average and as much as 40 percent. Weight loss averages 7 pounds in 30 days.

Free information sessions will be held at Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital, 525 N. Santiam Highway, on the following dates and times: today, 4 p.m.; Monday, 1 p.m.; Jan. 23, 7 p.m.

Additional sessions are: Jan. 16, 4 p.m., Gentsler Eye Center, 2700 14th Ave. S.E., Albany; Jan. 17, 2 p.m., Albany Public Library, 1390 Waverly Drive S.E.; Jan. 20, 9:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m., Our Savior Lutheran Church, 3111 S. Main Road, Lebanon.

Democrat-Herald