Sanford Health Doc Talk in Bemidji Highlights Subtle Heart Warning Signs

Heart events can occur at a moment's notice, and the heart may be trying to warn you before it happens." Sanford Health will bring that message to Bemidji with a free Doc Talk titled "Subtle Warning Signs from the Heart" on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at the Sanford Center, 1111 Event Center Dr. NE.

The event opens with a social and light appetizers at 3:30 p.m., and the one-hour presentation by Dr. James Dewar, DO, interventional cardiologist at the Sanford Bemidji Heart & Vascular Center, begins at 4 p.m. The presentation will cover "the latest technology that's used to prevent, detect and treat heart attacks and other cardiac emergencies," and will include time for questions. The scheduled end time is 5:00 p.m. Attendees should use the convention center entrance near the hotel. The talk is free, but registration is required; residents may register by calling (218) 333-5862 or through Sanford Health’s Doc Talk registration page.

This Doc Talk is part of Sanford Health’s community education series that offers local access to physician-led information on a variety of health topics. For Beltrami County, the session is a timely public health opportunity. Recognizing subtle symptoms of cardiac distress can shorten the time to care, a crucial factor in outcomes for heart attack and other cardiac emergencies, especially for rural residents who face longer distances to specialized facilities.

Dr. Dewar’s focus on emerging detection and treatment technologies may also shape community conversations about access to advanced cardiac care in northern Minnesota. Beltrami County residents who manage chronic conditions, support aging parents, or work in jobs without easy health-care access may find practical steps and local referral options in the Q&A portion of the event. The social beforehand provides a low-barrier entry point for neighbors who may be hesitant to seek clinical advice in formal settings.

Sanford Health describes Doc Talk as a free education series where Sanford physicians present and answer audience questions. The health system says it is one of the largest in the United States, with a nationwide network that the organization reports includes dozens of hospitals and many physician practices. That scale can bring both resources and challenges to local care - access to specialists like interventional cardiologists, balanced against the need for timely emergency response in more remote communities.

For residents planning to attend, registration is required and space may be limited. The presentation’s clear agenda - social at 3:30 p.m., presentation and Q&A at 4 p.m., closing by 5 p.m. - makes it easy to fit into an evening schedule. For Beltrami County, the event offers practical information and a chance to ask a local cardiologist how to recognize early warning signs and what to do next, a small but significant step toward stronger heart health in the community.