doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.105.590794
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(Circulation. 2005;112:e318-e319.)
© 2005 American Heart Association, Inc.
Cardiology Patient Page |
Learn, Take Action, and Live
A Guide to Using Online Tools to Prevent and Manage Heart Disease and Stroke
From the American Heart Association, Dallas, Tex.
Correspondence to Suzanna Phelps-Fredette, American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75231. E-mail spf50{at}earthlink.net
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Introduction |
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 Top Introduction Guide to Web Content...Guide to Online ToolsReferences |
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Heart disease and stroke can often be prevented, but these diseases remain the number 1 and number 3 killers of Americans, and the demand for treatments continues to grow. From 1979 to 2002, the number of cardiovascular operations and procedures increased 470%.1 The failure of patients to follow medical advice unquestionably contributes to this problem. Statistics from the National Council of Patient Information and Education (NCPIE) show that more than half of all Americans with chronic diseases don’t follow their physician’s medication and lifestyle guidance.2
The American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association recognize that patient education is an important way to help individuals "learn and live," and our Web sites, www.americanheart.org and www.strokeassociation.org, provide easy access to the latest information on heart disease and stroke. But we also understand that information alone isn’t enough. Individuals need to take action, and lifestyle changes are the number 1 priority for reducing risks for heart disease and stroke. That’s why we provide an array of tools to help you take action to reduce your risks by making the necessary lifestyle changes in diet, exercise, compliance, and developing better relationships with your healthcare providers.
All content on our site is science-reviewed and is updated when facts change. Medical illustration libraries are found in each content area, and links help show the connection between different aspects of cardiac health. New topics are continuously being developed.
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Guide to Web Content Areas |
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For a complete list of links to all topics discussed in this article, cut and paste the following URL into your Web browser: http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/112/20/e318/DC1
Arrhythmia
The Web site www.americanheart.org/arrhythmia has excellent information for patients recently diagnosed with arrhythmia, their caregivers, and healthcare professionals. The material covers kinds of arrhythmias, who is at risk, living with arrhythmias, helpful checklists, and treatment options. There is also a professional area that includes clinical information and editorials written by respected cardiac/arrhythmia specialists.
Cholesterol
This section (available at www.americanheart.org/cholesterol) gives general cholesterol information and includes a cholesterol pledge, an interactive quiz to test cholesterol IQ, personal stories, medication information, and treatment options. An extensive diet and nutrition section covers topics such as how to cook for lower cholesterol and how to choose healthier foods, as well as information on how to make substitutions in recipes and tips on healthy eating out.
Compliance/Medication Adherence
This area (www.americanheart.org/compliance) outlines the importance of compliance, or following doctor’s recommendations for medication and lifestyle changes. It outlines patient and professional roles in a successful healthcare team and provides tools to enhance compliance. Facts and quick tips are included, as well as "How to Get a Medication Checkup" and patient information sheets to print out and take to the doctor.
Heart Attack
The section on heart attack (www.americanheart.org/heartattack) contains information for (1) those who have had a heart attack and (2) those wishing to prevent a heart attack. It explains what a heart attack is, how to prevent heart attack, and how to recover from and prevent future episodes, as well as treatment options, surgical procedures, and how to make lifestyle changes to reduce your risk.
Heart Failure
The section on heart failure available at www.americanheart.org/heartfailure provides information, hope, and resources for living the best possible life with heart failure. It includes treatments, support options, tips, tools, personal stories, and recipes. An interactive forum/message board lets users upload questions/comments. The section also provides a Caregiver’s Guide for those caring for patients with heart failure.
High Blood Pressure
In this section (www.americanheart.org/hbp), you will find interactive features with tips, tools, recipes, and lifestyle information. The site contains diet and nutrition information, with emphasis on low-salt diets. Features include an interactive blood pressure risk assessment tool, an interactive blood pressure quiz, and our "Ask the Expert" section in which frequently asked questions are answered.
Peripheral Artery Disease
This section (www.americanheart.org/pad) outlines peripheral arterial disease, discusses who is at risk, and examines the consequences of not knowing you have peripheral arterial disease or of failing to treat it. The section encourages patients to be proactive in diagnosis and treatment. It relates treatment options in detail. Links to other related conditions and to lifestyle management information are provided. There is a forum/message board for users to upload questions/comments.
Learn About Stroke
This site (www.strokeassociation.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3030387) gives you all the information you need on stroke, including what is stroke, what are the effects of stroke, reducing risk, and receiving quality care. You’ll also learn the warning signs of stroke, how stroke is diagnosed, and what treatments are available.
Life After Stroke
This site (www.strokeassociation.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3030386) provides information and support and connects patients and caregivers with others to help make the most of recovery from stroke. In addition, there is information on the common effects of stroke, how to prevent another stroke, and links to Stroke Connection magazine, as well as valuable information for family caregivers of stroke patients.
Especially for Women
Heart disease is the number 1 killer of women. We’ve developed information specifically for and about women to outline their risk factors and provide tools to reduce those risks (www.americanheart.org/women). Learn which goal numbers for cholesterol are different for women and how risk increases after menopause. You can also join our Go Red for Women campaign.
Children’s Heart Health
This site (www.americanheart.org/children) provides important information for families of children with congenital or acquired heart disease. It also addresses the rise in childhood obesity, which endangers the heart health of our children. We provide parents tips on raising heart-healthy children, interactive games so kids can have fun learning, and great exercise and nutrition information for families.
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Guide to Online Tools |
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Healthy Heart Quizzes
The following quizzes are available (www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3022817):
- Learn and Live Quiz
- High Blood Pressure Quiz
- Sodium Quiz
- Cholesterol Quiz
- Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health Quiz
- Workout Quiz
- Are You Compliant? Quiz
- High Blood Pressure Quiz
Talking to Doctors
Make your next doctor’s visit less stressful and more successful. Be prepared. Use our lists of questions (www.americanheart. org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=105) to help get the information you need.
Take a Heart Health Pledge
Make a commitment to your heart health. Print out a Health Pledge (www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3022905) and vow to take steps to a healthier life.
Answers by Heart
Get great information on cardiovascular conditions, treatments, tests, risk reduction, and a heart-healthy lifestyle. Print these sheets out (www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3004356) and fill in questions to ask your doctor.
A Healthy Eating Plan
Use our Eating Plan (www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1088) to choose a heart-healthy diet you can stick to for a lifetime.
Risk Assessment
Answer questions that can help estimate your risk of having a heart attack or dying of coronary heart disease in the next 10 years (www.americanheart.org/ riskassessment).
Caregiver’s Guide
If you’re a caregiver for someone with heart failure or stroke, you’ll appreciate our Caregiver’s Guides to coping, planning, and even financial concerns (www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1412) (www.strokeassociation.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3030377).
Share Your Experience
Connect with others. Visit our message boards to share your ideas and words of encouragement and to read what others are saying (www.discussions.americanheart.org).
Personal Stories
You are not alone. Read real-life stories of others who have faced heart disease and stroke (www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3029614).
Let’s Talk About Stroke
Download these stroke-specific patient information fact sheets. They cover stroke prevention and life after stroke and are in a question-and-answer format that’s easy to read and understand (www.strokeassociation.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3018561).
E-Mail Newsletters
Stay informed, inspired, and involved. Our monthly e-mail messages let you choose the news to receive. From tips, news, and features to recipes and local events, we send monthly information that informs, encourages, and helps you live a heart-healthier lifestyle. Go to the registration page (www.americanheart.org/caremail) to get started.
Stroke Connection Magazine
Stoke Connection (www.strokeassociation.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=2533) includes articles on aphasia, central pain, high blood pressure, and depression, as well as inspiring personal stories and tips on daily living. Get the most out of every day by getting your free subscription now.
Heart Profilers
Use this free, confidential, personalized treatment options report developed by the American Heart Association and leading science and medical experts (www.americanheart.org/heartprofilers). By registering, you can become more involved in your care by reviewing treatment options, possible side effects, success rates, and questions to ask your healthcare provider. You will also have access to medical journal articles that are written in easily understood language. This tool is available for atrial fibrillation, cholesterol, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, and heart failure.
For a complete list of links to all topics discussed in this article, cut and paste the following URL into your Web browser: http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/112/20/e318/DC1
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Footnotes |
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Links to the sites discussed in this article can be found in the online-only Data Supplement at http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/112/20/e318/DC1.
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References |
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TopIntroductionGuide to Web Content...Guide to Online ToolsReferences |
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1. American Heart Association. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: 2005 Update. Dallas, Tex: American Heart Association; 2005: 53.
2. American Heart Association. Statistics You Need to Know. Dallas, Tex: American Heart Association; 2005.
Related Article:
Circulation 2005 112: 3025.
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