In celebration of February as American Heart Health Month, ShopRite stores in New London and Norwich will offer free cholesterol and blood glucose screenings.

Walk-in screenings will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the New London store, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Norwich store. No fasting is needed.

“While shoppers are crossing grocery items off their lists, they can also conveniently check off an important step in taking charge of their health,” Natalie Menza-Crowe, director of health and wellness at ShopRite stores, said in a news release Thursday. “Knowing your cholesterol level is critical to understanding your risk for heart disease, while blood glucose levels are a key indicator for developing or having diabetes.”

Controlling cholesterol and blood sugar levels are two of the actions included on the American Heart Association’s “Life’s Simple 7,” which are key measures and behaviors that can help people stay healthy and lower their risk for heart disease, stroke and other major problems. About 40 percent of American adults have total cholesterol levels that put them at greater risk for heart disease, according to the news release.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, over 29 million Americans have diabetes, and one in four people with diabetes don’t know they have it. About 86 million Americans ages 20 years or older have prediabetes. In prediabetes, blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. 

“We can check both cholesterol and blood glucose levels with one simple test,” Menza-Crowe said. “With this knowledge, you can be sure you’re on a healthy path — or you can work with your doctor to make adjustments that get you back on track.”