LAGRANGE — Heart of West Georgia is helping health care students at Troup County’s THINC College and Career Academy have access to important hands-on training in the area of heart health.

The organization donated $2,834 for 12-lead ecocardiogram — known as EKG — machines to THINC’s health science lab.Members expect the EKGs will provide “valuable, real-world experiences for the students in the allied health and medicine course next year,” states a release from Heart of West Georgia.

With the equipment, students will learn how to perform a 12-lead EKG test, assist with stress testing and test on Holter monitors, which is a tape recording of a patient’s EKG, and recognize life-threatening dysrhythmias — an abnormal heart beat.

A 12-lead EKG is a diagnostic tool that can be used by an entry level health care worker who has been trained in the procedure. The demand for entry level health care workers with certifications like EKG technician is increasing, and these jobs are typically with facilities that encourage employees to continue with their education in a health care field like nursing or respiratory therapy.

“We are pleased to partner with Heart of West Georgia to be able to bring this valuable training to our students,” said THINC CEO Kathy Carlisle. “This donation to purchase equipment is a perfect example of the power of business and community partnership with education.”

Heart of West Georgia is focused on raising money for heart education, cardiovascular projects, women’s health and obesity.