Decreasing the risk of Heart Disease

• By: Tiffany Ward

• 6/16/2021
Statistics within Trumbull County

• Ohio is 8th worst state for Heart Disease

• Trumbull County is the 23rd county in Ohio for heart disease
• 21.9% of adults in Trumbull County smoke
• 25% of Trumbull County residents are obese
• 77% of residents report a sedentary lifestyle
• 37.5% of residents have high cholesterol
• 27.5% of residents have high blood pressure
• 9.6% of residents have diabetes
 Purpose

• Educate patients and their families ways to reduce their risk of

heart disease.

• Reenforce education with patients who have heart disease.

 Target
Audience

• Patients with an increased risk for heart disease

• Patients that have heart disease and have not been

compliant

• Patients with comorbidities that puts them at risk for

cardiac disease
 Objectives

1. Educate patients on the risk factors of heart disease.

2. Describe the pathophysiology of heart disease.

3. Educate how to manage heart disease at home.

 Goals
• Patients will be able to verbalize the risk factors of heart
disease.

• Patients will be able to identify ways to monitor

symptoms and when to see their doctor.

• Patients will have an understanding of heart disease and

ways to control the disease by eating healthy, stop
smoking and controlling hypertension.
 What is Heart Disease?

• Heart disease is mainly caused by atherosclerosis.

• Atherosclerosis is a condition that happens when plaque

builds up in the walls of the arteries. The plaque buildup
narrows the arteries, which constricts the blood flow.

• A blood clot can form which blocks blood flow to

vital organs causing a heart attack or stroke.
 Implementation
• Encourage our patients and members of community to attend local health fairs provided by the
American Heart Association.

• Encourage our patients to become active such as starting a new gym programs or walking daily
outside.

• Encourage patients to stop smoking and provide them with information for smoking cessation.

• Encourage patients to see their family physician yearly to check lab work.

• Encourage patients to check their blood pressure at home and keep a record of the readings daily.

• Encourage a cardiac healthy diet.

• Encourage healthy stress relief habits.

 Exercise
• You should be involved in moderate to intense physical
activity for at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week.

• Exercise is also a great way to relieve stress and the

reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, colon cancer and
diabetes.

• Exercise also helps maintain a healthy weight.

 Smoking
Cessation
• Smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable
death and disease.

• Smokers are six times more likely to have a heart attack

and heart disease than non smokers.

• Patients can take nicotine replacement therapies such as

nicotine patches, gum or lozenges.
 Diabetes
• Diabetic patients are twice as likely of developing heart disease.

• It is important for diabetics to control their blood sugar and maintain

a healthy A1C level.

• Check blood glucose daily or more if needed. Normal blood glucose

level should be between 70-110.

• A healthy A1C level should be between 5-6%.

 Cholesterol
• High cholesterol in the blood leads to atherosclerosis and creates blockages in the
arteries.

• There are two different types of cholesterol, the HDL, which are good and the LDL,
which are bad.

• You can control your cholesterol levels by exercising, maintaining a healthy weight,
eating more fruits and vegetables, avoid trans fat, and quit smoking.

• Normal cholesterol level is < 200 mg/dL.

• Normal HDL level is between 40-60 mg/dL.

• Normal LDL level is < 100 mg/dL.

 Blood Pressure
• Hypertension is known as the “silent killer” in heart
disease and can also increase your risk for kidney disease
or stroke.

• Ways to reduce your blood pressure would be to maintain

a healthy weight, stay active, manage stress and limit
alcohol intake.

• Normal blood pressure should be

<120/80.
 Healthy Cardiac Diet
• Limit your fat and sodium intake. No more than 25-35% of your daily calories should
come from fat. You should consume less than 2 grams of sodium daily.

• Avoid trans fat within fast food or packaged foods.

• Consume less than 200 mg per day of cholesterol.

• Consume low fat or fat free dairy products.

• Consume fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables.

• Consume whole grains.

• Consume lean meats.

 You can do this!
• Learn to know the risk factors

• Manage risk factors

• Focus on a healthy diet and exercise

• Build a strong support system

• Be confident in yourself

• Be in CONTROL of your health

 References
American Heart Association. (2020). What is Cardiovascular Disease? www.heart.org.
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-cardiovascular-
disease.

Khandheria, B. (2018, March 26). 8 Ways to Reduce Risk of Heart Disease. Aurora
Health Care. https://www.aurorahealthcare.org/patients-visitors/blog/8-ways-to-reduce-
risk-of-heart-disease.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. (2021). Cardiac Diet. Memorial Sloan
Kettering Cancer Center. https://www.mskcc.org/experience/patient-support/nutrition-
cancer/diet-plans-cancer/cardiac-diet.

Trumbull County Health Department. (2020). Cardio-Vascualr Health Grant. Health

Department. http://www.tcbh.org/tcbh_health.html.