Download cardiology patient page cardiology patient page

CARDIOLOGY PATIENT PAGE
CARDIOLOGY PATIENT PAGE
Learn, Take Action, and Live
A Guide to Using Online Tools to Prevent and Manage Heart Disease
and Stroke
Suzanna Phelps-Fredette
Downloaded from http://circ.ahajournals.org/ by guest on August 2, 2017
H
eart 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 sciencereviewed 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.
Guide to Web Content Areas
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) con-
From the American Heart Association, Dallas, Tex.
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.
Correspondence to Suzanna Phelps-Fredette, American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75231. E-mail [email protected]
(Circulation. 2005;112:e318-e319.)
© 2005 American Heart Association, Inc.
Circulation is available at http://www.circulationaha.org
DOI: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.105.590794
e318
Phelps-Fredette
tains 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
Downloaded from http://circ.ahajournals.org/ by guest on August 2, 2017
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
Use Online Tools to Learn, Take Action, and Live
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
e319
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.
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.
Use our Eating Plan (www.americanheart.
org/presenter.jhtml?identifier⫽1088) to
choose a heart-healthy diet you can stick to
for a lifetime.
Children’s Heart Health
Risk Assessment
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.
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).
Guide to Online Tools
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
A Healthy Eating Plan
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
e320
Circulation
November 15, 2005
and stroke (www.americanheart.org/
presenter.jhtml?identifier⫽3029614).
americanheart.org/caremail) to get
started.
Let’s Talk About Stroke
Stroke Connection Magazine
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).
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.
E-Mail Newsletters
Downloaded from http://circ.ahajournals.org/ by guest on August 2, 2017
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.
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 treat-
ment 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
References
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.
Learn, Take Action, and Live: A Guide to Using Online Tools to Prevent and Manage
Heart Disease and Stroke
Suzanna Phelps-Fredette
Downloaded from http://circ.ahajournals.org/ by guest on August 2, 2017
Circulation. 2005;112:e318-e319
doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.105.590794
Circulation is published by the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75231
Copyright © 2005 American Heart Association, Inc. All rights reserved.
Print ISSN: 0009-7322. Online ISSN: 1524-4539
The online version of this article, along with updated information and services, is located on the
World Wide Web at:
http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/112/20/e318
Data Supplement (unedited) at:
http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/suppl/2006/01/25/112.20.e318.DC2
http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/suppl/2006/01/04/112.20.e318.DC1
Permissions: Requests for permissions to reproduce figures, tables, or portions of articles originally published
in Circulation can be obtained via RightsLink, a service of the Copyright Clearance Center, not the Editorial
Office. Once the online version of the published article for which permission is being requested is located,
click Request Permissions in the middle column of the Web page under Services. Further information about
this process is available in the Permissions and Rights Question and Answer document.
Reprints: Information about reprints can be found online at:
http://www.lww.com/reprints
Subscriptions: Information about subscribing to Circulation is online at:
http://circ.ahajournals.org//subscriptions/
CARDIOLOGY PATIENT PAGE
CARDIOLOGY PATIENT PAGE
Learn, Take Action, and Live
A Guide to Using Online Tools to Prevent and Manage Heart Disease
and Stroke
Suzanna Phelps-Fredette
H
eart 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 recognizes that patient education is an important
way to help individuals “learn and live,”
and our Web site, www.american
heart.org, provides 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, exer-
cise, compliance, and developing better
relationships with your healthcare
providers.
All content on our site is sciencereviewed 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.
Guide to Web Content Areas
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) con-
From the American Heart Association, Dallas, Tex.
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.
Correspondence to Suzanna Phelps-Fredette, American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75231. E-mail [email protected]
(Circulation. 2005;112:e318-e319.)
© 2005 American Heart Association, Inc.
Circulation is available at http://www.circulationaha.org
DOI: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.105.590794
e318
Phelps-Fredette
tains 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
Use Online Tools to Learn, Take Action, and Live
Cholesterol Quiz
Physical Activity and Cardiovascular
Health Quiz
Workout Quiz
Are You Compliant? Quiz
Personal Stories
Talking to Doctors
Let’s Talk About Stroke
Make your next doctor’s visit less
stress-ful 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⫽3022905) and
fill in questions to ask your doctor.
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.
Use our Eating Plan (www.americanheart.
org/presenter.jhtml?identifier⫽1088) to
choose a heart-healthy diet you can stick to
for a lifetime.
Peripheral Artery Disease
Risk Assessment
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.
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).
The following quizzes are available:
Learn and Live Quiz
High Blood Pressure Quiz
Sodium Quiz
You are not alone. Read real-life stories
of others who have faced heart disease
and stroke (www.americanheart.org/
presenter.jhtml?identifier⫽3029614).
Download these stroke-specific patient
information fact sheets. They cover
stroke prevention (www.americanheart.
org/presenter.jhtml?identifier⫽3018614)
and life after stroke (www.americanheart.
org/presenter.jhtml?identifier⫽3018616)
and are in a question-and-answer format
that’s easy to read and understand.
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.
Heart Profilers
A Healthy Eating Plan
Caregiver’s Guide
If you’re a caregiver for someone with
heart failure, you’ll appreciate our Caregiver’s Guide to coping, planning,
and even financial concerns (www.
americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?
identifier⫽1412).
Guide to Online Tools
Healthy Heart Quizzes
e319
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).
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
References
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.