Heart Health Handouts

Facts About the DASH Diet - Research has found that diet affects the development of high blood pressure, or hypertension (the medical term). Recently, two studies showed that following a particular eating plan—called the DASH diet—and reducing the amount of sodium consumed lowers blood pressure.

Heart Attack Warning Signs - A heart attack is a frightening event, and you probably don't want to think about it. But, if you learn the signs of a heart attack and what steps to take, you can save a life–maybe your own. What are the signs of a heart attack? Many people think a heart attack is sudden and intense, like a "movie" heart attack, where a person clutches his or her chest and falls over. The truth is that many heart attacks start slowly, as a mild pain or discomfort. If you feel such a symptom, you may not be sure what's wrong. Your symptoms may even come and go. Even those who have had a heart attack may not recognize their symptoms, because the next attack can have entirely different ones. It's vital that everyone learn the warning signs of a heart attack. These are:

High Blood Cholesterol, What You Need to Know - Why Is Cholesterol Important? Your blood cholesterol level has a lot to do with your chances of getting heart disease. High blood cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for heart disease. A risk factor is a condition that increases your chance of getting a disease. In fact, the higher your blood cholesterol level, the greater your risk for developing heart disease or having a heart attack. Heart disease is the number one killer of women and men in the United States. Each year, more than a million Americans have heart attacks, and about a half million people die from heart disease.

Protect Your Heart, Prevent High Blood Pressure - Anyone can develop high blood pressure, also called hypertension. African Americans are at higher risk for this serious disease than any other race or ethnic group. High blood pressure tends to be more common, happens at an earlier age, and is more severe for many African Americans. The good news is that high blood pressure can be controlled—and better yet, it can be prevented!

Your Guide to Lowering Blood Pressure - What Are High Blood Pressure and Prehypertension? Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of arteries. Blood pressure rises and falls throughout the day. When blood pressure stays elevated over time, it’s called high blood pressure. The medical term for high blood pressure is hypertension. High blood pressure is dangerous because it makes the heart work too hard and contributes to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). It increases the risk of heart disease (see box 1) and stroke, which are the first- and third-leading causes of death among Americans. High blood pressure also can result in other conditions, such as congestive heart failure, kidney disease, and blindness.

Your Guide to a Healthy Heart (95 pgs) - If you’re like many people, you may think of heart disease as a problem that happens to other folks. “I feel fine,” you may think, “so I have nothing to worry about.” If you’re a woman, you may also believe that being female protects you from heart disease. If you’re a man, you may think you’re not old enough to have a serious heart condition. Wrong on all counts. In the United States, heart disease is the #1 killer of both women and men. It affects many people at midlife, as well as in old age. It also can happen to those who “feel fine.” Consider these facts:

Your Guide to Physical Activity and Your Heart ( 52 pgs) - If you currently get regular physical activity, congratulations! But if you’re not yet getting all the activity you need, you have lots of company. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 60 percent of Americans are not meeting the recommended levels of physical activity. Fully 16 percent of Americans are not active at all. Overall, women tend to be less active than men, and older people are less likely to get regular physical activity than younger individuals.

Your Guide to Living Well with Heart Disease (68 pgs) - Chances are, you’re reading this book because you or someone close to you has heart disease. Perhaps your doctor has recently told you that you have a heart condition, and you’re looking for information on how to take good care of yourself. Perhaps you’ve known about your condition for some time and are interested in the latest knowledge on treatment and self-care. Perhaps you’ve recently had a heart attack or heart surgery and want some guidance on making the best possible recovery.

Fact Sheet: Coronary Pulmonary Obstruction Disease - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a slowly progressive disease of the airways that is characterized by a gradual loss of lung function. In the U.S., the term COPD includes chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive bronchitis, or emphysema, or combinations of these conditions. It represents the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. The symptoms of COPD can range from chronic cough and sputum production to severe disabling shortness of breath. In some individuals, chronic cough and sputum production are the first signs that they are at risk for developing the airflow obstruction and shortness of breath characteristic of COPD. In others, shortness of breath may be the first indication of the disease.

Check Your Cholesterol and Heart Disease IQ - The name pretty well says it all. Enjoy