Heart Attack Risk Program (HARP)

For those who are serious about reducing the risk of heart attack, Valley Health offers the Heart Attack Risk Program. Participation begins with a simple health screening and five key risk categories are considered - cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, and weight.  The fact that each can be measured is the heart of this program and gives participants the opportunity to know to their numbers and track progress.

In addition to the first screening, regular follow-up testing is available.  Participants receive information to make lifestyle changes and the support of others serious about reducing their risk.

Five risk factors individuals can help control:

• Cholesterol.  A blood cholesterol level of 200 or less is considered desirable for American adults.  Higher than that, and the risk of heart attack increases significantly.  High cholesterol causes a sticky substance called plaque to be deposited on artery walls.  Over time, the build-up of this material can narrow or even block the artery.  Lifestyle changes such as lowering the amount of cholesterol and saturated fats in a diet can reduce the risk of heart disease.
• Blood pressure.  Over 60 million American have high blood pressure (140/90 or higher) and are considered hypertensive.  While this is often a "silent disease" with no symptoms, it can place individuals at greater risk of heart attack or stroke by making the heart work harder.  Age, alcohol, oral contraceptives and kidney disease are among the factors associated with hypertension.  Dietary changes - especially reducing one's intake of salt - can help bring high blood pressure under control.
• Diabetes.  When there is an abnormally high level of sugar (glucose) in the blood, the condition is known as diabetes mellitus.  The most common type of diabetes, adult onset, may speed the rate at which plaque is deposited on artery walls, thus increasing the risk of heart attack.  Since most people with adult onset diabetes are overweight, losing weight often means far greater control of the disease or possibly a cure for the problem.
• Weight.  When a person is 30% or more over ideal weight standards, he or she is considered by medical professionals to be obese.  Being overweight can increase one's risk of heart attack in several ways, including raising blood pressure and cholesterol levels.  Diabetes, joint disease, and even gallstones are associated with being overweight.  While the well-known recommendation of fewer calories and more exercise is usually the answer, it is a hard "prescription" for most Americans to follow. 
• Smoking.  Smokers face a risk of heart attack double that of a non-smoker, and risk for a  fatal heart attack may be four times that of a non-smoker.  That is the bad news.  The good news is that regardless of how long one has smoked, risk of heart disease declines rapidly from the day he or she stops.

 

To participate:

The Heart Center holds monthly Heart Attack Risk Program screenings. For more information call (540)-536-4725 or (800)-326-4052.