January 30, 2007 | More News

Valley Health Offers New Heart Aware Program to Prevent Heart Disease

Valley Health is offering a new service to help promote community health and raise awareness of heart disease. The Heart Aware program includes an online heart risk assessment and, if indicated, a free follow-up screening at one of six community locations.

Heart Aware begins with an online heart risk assessment in which participants confidentially answer a series of questions about their health, family background and lifestyle habits. The assessment immediately provides a personalized report on the respondent’s risk factors for heart disease. Those determined to be at high risk will be eligible for a free follow-up screening. Regardless of how participants score, they will also be able to request additional information on healthy diets, exercise, heart health and smoking cessation.

“By encouraging people to evaluate their heart health, we hope to increase awareness and wellness in our community and to decrease the occurrence of heart disease in the Northern Shenandoah Valley," said Kathleen Burroughs, RN, Coordinator of the Heart Attack Risk Program at Valley Health. Since its initiation at Winchester Medical Center in 1993, the screening program has helped thousands in the region become more attuned to their heart health. By focusing on five modifiable risk factors – total and HDL cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, weight, and smoking – the screening offers people a convenient opportunity to “know their numbers” and track their progress as they make healthy changes.

To take the Heart Aware quiz, log onto www.valleyhealthlink.com and click on Heart Aware. Those without internet access may take the online assessment at Valley Health’s Health Depot store at Apple Blossom Mall, or call 540-536-4725 or 1-877-SAV-A-HRT to request a risk assessment by mail.

According to the American Heart Association, more than 70 million Americans have one or more forms of cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States.

Valley Health is an integrated health care system that includes Winchester Medical Center, Warren Memorial Hospital and Shenandoah Memorial Hospital. To find out more about the Heart Aware program or other Valley Health programs visit www.valleyhealthlink.com or call 1-877-SAV-A-HRT.