The Heart Truth Delaware:
- PCP professional education and training to improve clinical processes for the prevention, assessment, and treatment of cardiovascular disease for women in our state.
- Facilitate clinical and behavioral interventions for primary care providers in New Castle, Kent and Sussex Counties.
- Communication of services and events of local health providers and community health programs for improved referral processes.
Gender-based care is crucial for cardiovascular disease prevention, assessment and management. The signs and symptoms of cardiovascular disease and heart attack are gender-dependent. According to the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Instutite:
- Cardiovascular disease kills about one woman a minute
- Cardiovascular disease is the leading killer of women over age 25
- Sixty-four percent of women who die suddenly of heart disease have no previous symptomsMore women than men will die within the first year after a heart attack
- It kills nearly twice as many women in the United States than all types of cancer, including breast cancer
- Only 13 percent of women think heart disease is a threat to their health
- Some doctors still fail to recognize the warning signs displayed by female patients
The Office on Women’s Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), has collaborated with NHLBI to develop a wealth of education materials for clinicians and educators about the prevention and treatment of heart disease in women. Resources are designed by a team of experts from the National Centers of Excellence in Women’s Health and the National Community Centers of Excellence in Women’s Health.
Office on Women’s Health Professional Education Materials
The Office on Women’s Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), has collaborated with NHLBI to develop a wealth of education materials for clinicians and educators about the prevention and treatment of heart disease in women. Designed by a team of experts from the National Centers of Excellence in Women’s Health and the National Community Centers of Excellence in Women’s Health, these resources include:
- Extensive lecture materials and slides
- Problem-based learning cases
- Standardized patient case
- PDA downloads
- Clinical tools, and
- Self-study modules offering free CME/CEU credits
What is the Patient Population Are We Trying to Reach?
The campaign is especially aimed at women ages 40 to 60, the time when a woman’s risk of heart disease starts to rise. But its messages are also important for younger women, since heart disease develops gradually and can start at a young age-even in the teenage years. Older women have an interest too—it’s never too late to take action to prevent and control the risk factors for heart disease. Even those who have heart disease can improve their heart health and quality of life.
Heart disease disproportionately affects women of color. African American and Hispanic women in particular have high rates of the major risk factors for heart disease, including obesity, physical inactivity, high blood pressure, and diabetes. The Heart Truth Women of Color initiative, with its partners, focuses on extending The Heart Truth messages, and engaging in national and local activities to help more women of color understand The Heart Truth-and inspire them to take action to reduce their risks for heart disease.
Women of Color >
The campaign tells women that “The Heart Truth starts with you. Talk to your doctor, find out your risk, and take action today to lower it.” Its messages are underscored by the moving stories of real women who are living with heart disease. Sharon, Orlinda, Olga, and others have allowed the campaign to tell The Heart Truth through their faces, voices, and experiences in hopes that their Stories From The Heart will help other women take heart health seriously.
Photo courtesy of The Heart Truth, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
