This year about 1.2 Americans will have a heart attack and approximately 450,000 of these individuals will die as a result of this event. Significant advances in treatment and improved access to advanced procedures in community settings have reduced mortality in patients with acute heart attacks. Despite these advances, coronary heart disease is still the nations single leading cause of death. A number of resources are being dedicated to cardiovascular research resulting in improved technology and pharmaceuticals for the treatment and prevention of heart disease. Many hospitals nationwide are also seeking community partnerships and education programs as a means to create an awareness of maintaining a heart healthy lifestyle.
There are many effective ways for hospitals to become involved in fighting heart disease. One very important way is to support or create community education campaigns, seeking to increase public awareness of the signs and symptoms of acute chest pain (ACS). Recognition of the warning signs of ACS and understanding the appropriate steps for individuals to take experiencing these symptoms holds a promise for reducing pre-hospital delays and encourages the use of emergency transport systems, resulting in rapid diagnosis and treatment. A collaborative approach to awareness education with other dedicated community supporters, such as public health departments, local medical groups, or the American Heart Association, increases the ability to reach a broader population-base and decrease cost at the same time. Strategies could include a quick 911 activation program, presentations to community groups, and public service announcements, as well as informational poster displays in physician offices, store fronts, and public libraries. Implementing primary prevention programs will help community residents enjoy an improved heart healthy life. These programs provide education about cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the lifestyle changes that will help reduce risks and/or prevent the onset of conditions that can lead to heart attack or stroke.
Corazon, as advisors to cardiovascular programs across the country, believes the importance of primary prevention and risk factor management of CV disease cannot be overlooked. Hospitals in collaboration with community groups that take a proactive stance on preventing and treating CV disease progression before intervention or surgery is needed can positively impact the community.
A comprehensive approach to cardiovascular wellness and disease management often pairs healthcare providers with businesses, churches, or other venues in the community in an effort to offer a variety of options for achieving or maintaining heart health. These partnerships often result in broad, easily-accessible programs that promote increased personal responsibility for health, along with educational programs.
Primary prevention activities often dovetail into more comprehensive programs that span a full spectrum of preventative, educational, and therapeutic modalities. Corazon recommends considering the following options when planning outreach, educational activities, or other CV program development initiatives:
Womens Heart Program
Today, over 8 million women suffer from heart disease, a condition six-times as deadly as breast cancer and the number one killer of women in the U.S. With an aging population, this number will only increase as the decade unfolds. Although significant progress has been made with increasing awareness of the impact of heart disease among women, many still do not take heart disease seriously and personally. Most fail to make the connection between risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol and their personal risk of developing heart disease. Women (and to some degree, the nation in general) continue to underestimate the threat. Since women over 65 utilize cardiovascular services at twice the rate of men, it is ever-more critical to focus on the female age sector of the population, which has traditionally been inadequately served throughout the U.S.
The market demand for CV programs tailored to the detection and treatment of the disease in women is strong. Corazon advocates that expanding upon or creating a womens heart center will increase hospital visibility and reputation, while raising public awareness through various ad campaigns, screenings, and other initiatives.
Childrens Heart Health Program
Childhood obesity is on the rise and so are the risks for developing heart disease later in life. It has been reported that over 9 million children and adolescents (ages 6 to 19) have been considered overweight and have an increased likelihood of becoming overweight adults. Hospitals are partnering with schools, community centers, and local church groups to develop education programs targeted specifically for school age children to increase their knowledge about cardiovascular health. The programs can include a wide range of education initiatives such as becoming familiar with the physiology of the heart and recognizing risk factors, heart healthy lifestyles, physical fitness, and even the risks associated with tobacco use.
Lipid Clinics
Elevated cholesterol has been shown to be an important of risk factor for coronary heart disease. An outpatient service designed for the proper diagnosis and treatment of high cholesterol, Lipid Clinics are an effective means of secondary prevention of CV disease. Tighter control of lipid profiles is beginning to positively affect heart disease incidence, though many hospitals have not formalized this program. But, with community screening and targeted marketing efforts, hospitals can make great strides in cholesterol management in the community.
Progressive hospitals are finding ways to bridge these and other education and primary prevention programs into the development of secondary prevention and treatment programs, which embed the full range of concepts into a more advanced and comprehensive model of care. A few examples include:
- Hypertension Clinics which are designed to provide integrated care to decrease further progression of for a variety of medical complications that can result from high blood pressure, including increased risk of heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, dementia, and diabetes.
- Congestive Heart Failure Clinics that provide aggressive management of CHF which can improve the quality of life for patients with CHF or those who are at risk for developing this condition.
- Anticoagulation Clinics are using successful web-based and protocol-driven programs, managed by pharmacists with utilization of predetermined care management decision trees.
All of these education and outreach program options can greatly improve community heart health, raise awareness of cardiovascular disease factors, and also increase visibility and reputation of the hospital. Adding the education component of early action/detection in the case of heart disease to the advances in treatment can save lives and work to eventually shift the paradigm from cardiovascular disease treatment to the promotion and maintenance of cardiac health, which will greatly impact people of all ages.
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