Heart disease is the number one killer of women, surpassing every form of cancer according to 2010 data from the National Institutes of Health. The Heart Truth® education program was formed by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute with the goal to raise awareness about heart disease and its risk factors among women and educate and motivate them to take action to prevent the disease and control its risk factors.
In addition to resources and various other awareness activities, the program promotes National Wear Red Day® held on the first Friday in February each year. The Red Dress® Pin is the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness. It serves as a red alert to remind women of The Heart Truth message: “Heart Disease Doesn’t Care What You Wear—It’s the #1 Killer of Women®“. Health professionals, faith-based programs and community organizations can utilize a toolkit to educate, engage and promote this life-saving awareness-to-action movement.
Great Plains Quality Innovation Network (Great Plains QIN) engages health care facilities across Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota in ongoing efforts for improving cardiac health and reducing cardiac healthcare disparities. Educating patients on steps to reduce risk factors and promoting Aspirin therapy, Blood pressure control, Cholesterol and Smoking cessation (ABCS) also aligns with the Department of Health and Human Services’ Million Hearts® initiative.
Lifestyle changes can impact health outcomes for heart disease at any age. Great Plains QIN staff assists facilities and patients using evidence-based interventions and self-management tools. Education infographics are available for each of the key risk factors: physical inactivity, being overweight or obese, diabetes and prediabetes, smoking, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Heart disease can be prevented.
Learn more on the cardiac health web site or by contacting a Great Plains QIN staff member.
- Photos courtesy The Heart Truth®, www.hearttruth.gov, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- The Heart Truth, its logo, the Red Dress and Red Dress Collection and the Heart Disease Doesn’t Care What You Wear—It’s the #1 Killer of Women are registered trademarks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
- National Wear Red Day is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and American Heart Association.
- Participation by Great Plains Quality Innovation Network does not imply endorsement by HHS/NIH/NHLBI.