Ingalls introduces Heart Aware: A lifesaving heart disease risk assessment

(February, 2009) Beginning in February, Ingalls Health System will introduce HeartAware, a free, easy way to find out if you’re at risk for heart disease, and it can be done right in the comfort of your own home…on your computer. Ingalls is participating in the nationwide HeartAware program to reduce the deadly and debilitating effects of cardiovascular disease.

“Even with a healthy diet and exercise, many people are at risk of heart disease due to factors like family history, gender and race,” explains Barbara Ferrari, R.N., Heart Health Coordinator at the Ingalls Wellness Center. “That’s why Ingalls is offering a free online heart risk assessment that will help individuals understand potential cardiac problems and is the first step in developing a personalized plan for staying healthy. It’s simple, fast and saves lives.”

It starts by logging onto www.Ingalls.org/HeartAware and answering the questions on the survey. At the end of the survey, participants receive a complete evaluation of their results, and it only takes seven minutes – about as much time as it takes to buy a new pair of shoes online.

“The assessment is a simple tool which effectively evaluates a person’s risk of developing heart disease, and more importantly, it offers numerous ways to reduce or control these risk factors,” explains P. Sandy Sundram, M.D., board-certified cardiologist and medical director of Cardiac Services at Ingalls.

Cardiovascular disease is the single largest cause of death in the United States, affecting nearly one million Americans. Heart attack or sudden death is the first symptom of heart disease for 62 percent of men and 46 percent of women.

If the assessment shows that an individual has three or more risk factors for heart disease, he or she is eligible to receive a FREE health screening that includes a full lipid profile, blood glucose level and measurements of blood pressure, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference – compliments of Ingalls. Afterward, follow up will be provided by an Ingalls nurse navigator to discuss results and make a plan to minimize the future risk for heart disease.

“Don’t let your first symptom be your last,” Ferrari added. “Half who die of heart attacks won’t know they were at risk and have no previous symptoms.”

“Unlike many medical conditions, heart disease can largely be predicted and prevented, but you have to take action,” Dr. Sundram added. “Don't smoke, get regular exercise and eat healthy foods. And to measure your overall heart disease risk, take the seven-minute online HeartAware risk assessment.”

For more information about HeartAware at Ingalls, call Ingalls Care Connection at 1.800.221.2199 or log onto www.Ingalls.org/HeartAware.

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