Health Education Introduces Cardiac Risk Reduction Class

Beaver Medical Group Patient Newsletter - Cardiac Issue 2004

 

	This year, the American Heart Association began the “Go Red For Women” campaign to bring awareness to cardiovascular disease and combat the misconception that it is just a problem for men. Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 3 killers of women. They are two of the many cardiovascular diseases that kill nearly 500,000 women each year. That’s more than the next seven causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer.	Kayla Pelletier, Director of Health Education and Pam Harper, RN / Cardiac Risk Reduction instructor discuss the class
	“With heart disease being the number one killer in the United States for men and women, we wanted to offer a program that would educate our patients on the steps they can take now to reduce their risk of future cardiac problems,” said Kayla Pelletier, Director of Health Education at Beaver Medical Group. In 2003, the award-winning Health Education staff developed a new class to address heart issues, Cardiac Risk Reduction. “Our goal is to help people become aware of their risk factors and to help them lower heart disease risk. Another important thing we talk about in class is how to recognize and survive a heart attack. Many more people could survive if they called 911 within the first five minutes of their symptoms,” said Pam Harper, RN. She teaches the Cardiac Risk Reduction based on The Heart Truth curriculum from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In the Cardiac Risk Reduction class, patients receive an individualized risk assessment and lifestyle management plan. Patients may also be referred to other appropriate classes such as Cholesterol Control, Quit Smoking, Hypertension, or one of the weight control classes. The class is held the third Wednesday of each month at Redlands, from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm. Call the Health Education Department at 909-335-4131 for more information or sign up online.
	Signs of a Heart Attack Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. Shortness of breath. This feeling often comes along with chest discomfort. But it can occur before the chest discomfort. Other signs. These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness. If you or someone you’re with has chest discomfort, especially with one or more of the other signs, don’t wait longer than a few minutes (no more than five) before calling for help. Call 9-1-1…Get to a hospital right away. Source: American Heart Association
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