The Salisbury VA Medical Center’s Rural Health Integration Program is offering a metabolic syndrome class at American Legion Post 65, 2446 Salisbury Highway, Statesville, Wednesdays, March 4 through 25, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions — increased blood pressure, a high blood sugar level, excess body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol levels — that occur together, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

Veterans, families and friends are invited to attend this class and learn to how live a healthier lifestyle and ways to prevent diabetes, hypertension and lowering cholesterol. All former and current military members and their immediate family members are encouraged to attend this free class.

VA staff will also provide healthcare registration, education and information services to all non-registered veterans, and assistance in completing enrollment applications, requesting copies of DD Form 214s, and initiating MyHealtheVet online services.

Former military members who are not currently enrolled for VA health care benefits will need to bring a copy of their DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, to attach to their application for VA health care benefits.  Veterans who have lost their DD Form 214 can request a copy from http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/.

For more information, call 1-800-469-8262, ext. 4958/4960/4937/4315.  VA outreach activities are posted on the events calendar at http://www.salisbury.va.gov/calendar.asp. For more VA information, visit www.salisbury.va.gov, Facebook at facebook.com/VASalisbury or on Twitter attwitter.com/SalisburyVAMC.