The Impact of Cardiac Education on Changes in Lifestyle Behaviors

Cardiovascular disease ( includes heart attack and chest pain) is the number one killer of American women and more than half of the deaths are directly attributable to "heart attack",  resulting in many deaths within one hour of onset of symptoms and generally before reaching a hospital.  Heart attack is a health disparity which has received attention nationally over the last decade. However, the death rate for African American women who have heart attacks continues to be twice that of white women. Literature addresses three specific problems facing African American Women who have heart attacks: they are not aware of risk factors, they do not know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack, and they delay treatment. It is documented in the literature that African American women tend to present symptoms of a heart attack that are atypical, thus not responding in a timely matter, resulting in delay treatment and death.  Receiving treatment as early as possible can delay morbidity and mortality. Consequently, if African American women do not recognize these atypical signs, then they will continue to delay initiating emergency treatment resulting in a continued increase in deaths related to heart attack.  Using a mixed research design, a pilot intervention study was implemented to determine if  interventions used to increase awareness of heart attack prevention showed positive outcomes. Ten African American women ages 25-65 living in a government housing development, participated in a three month heart prevention education program, consisting of  seven weeks of classroom education and seven weeks of exercise with a certified fitness trainer, for one hour, two days a week. In addition, participants were motivated and encouraged to use knowledge gained from the cardiac classes to implement lifestyle behavior changes, to include eating healthy and increasing physical activity. Baseline data was obtained to include a pre-test related to heart attack. Measurements such as weight, body mass index ( BMI) , blood pressure and body measurements such as hip, thigh, waist and upper arm were also obtained.  The same measurements were obtained at the end of seven weeks and again at the end of the 3 month period, and a comparative analysis was performed. The women also completed a cardiac post-test at the 3 month period. Data revealed significant results at P-value <0.05 for increase in knowledge, decrease in blood pressure and weight. There was also some reductions in other body measurements. This presentation will focus on the methodology used in the study and the research findings. The presentation connects with the convention theme to serve locally, transform regionally and lead globally. The results of the study were significant to make a difference in the housing development of which the research occurred, and as a result, the researcher has received request to duplicate the program.  Results of the program has significance to reduce heart attack risk factors which will impact health of the community, state, nationally as well as and internationally. This research can be duplicated in other countries to improve reduction of cardiac disease.