Cardiovascular - Heart Alive!

CARDIOVASCULAR - HEART ALIVE!

Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in Marion County. Research shows that for every one-percent reduction in blood cholesterol level, there is a two-percent reduction in the risk of coronary heart disease. The Marion County Health Department has developed the Heart Alive! Cardiovascular Screening and Education Program to help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, including coronary heart disease and stroke. It is based on recommendations made by the National Cholesterol Education Program.

MCHD Heart Alive!

The program consists of four major components:

Initial screening includes a fingerstick for total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol; measures of height, weight, waist and hip circumference, blood pressure, and pulse; the completion of a Nutrition Profile and exercise questionnaire; and glucose screening for those at risk for diabetes.
Interpretation session in which participants receive their individual results and are given basic information on the role of cholesterol in heart disease.
Series of four one-hour skills-based education classes taught by a registered dietitian which focus on exercise, decreasing fat, increasing fiber, reading labels, modifying recipes, and eating out.
Re-screening of participants at 12-months and conducting another interpretation session to monitor how life-style choices affect cholesterol values.

Blood Pressure

Heart Alive! is offered free of charge to non-profit organizations including churches, government agencies, and community based organizations. Business and for-profit agencies will be charged to receive services.

The program has been conducted in worksites, churches, and community organizations. Data from these programs has produced promising results including a significant reduction in total cholesterol, total fat as a percentage of calories, and number of inactive individuals.

For more information on the Heart Alive! Cardiovascular Screening and Education Program or to receive information on cardiovascular disease, please contact the Cardiovascular Program Manager at (317) 221-2097 or e-mail at chronic@hhcorp.org.

COOL LINKS...
American Heart Association	www.americanheart.org	1-800-AHA-USA1
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute	www.nhlbi.nih.gov	(301) 251-1222

Please report problems to: Webmaster

Last Updated: September 24, 2001