Managing Heart Disease

A Two-Part Patient Education Resource

THE ISSUE

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one killer of
  American men and women.
• Every day more than 680 Americans die from sudden cardiac
  arrest.
• More women die of heart disease than men.

WellMe, Inc, the health resources production division of State of the Art, Inc, has developed a two-part patient education series, “Managing Heart Disease” with funding from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health.

THE SERIES
“ Managing Heart Disease,” consists of two videos and two booklets - “Men Managing Heart Disease” and “Women Managing Heart Disease.” These resources focus on the special concerns men and women face when diagnosed with cardiovascular disease and teaches men and women and their caregivers what they need to know to begin self-management to slow the progression of their disease and reduce their risk of future cardiac events including:

• Addressing risk factors
• Identifying symptoms
• Patient/provider communication
• Health care utilization
• Medication management
• Mental health/psychosocial issues
• Importance of social support

Each video profiles ethnically diverse men and women of different ages who have a history of heart disease and/or diabetes. The focus of these programs is to introduce patients to the concept of self-management by using real men and women who, with the support of friends, family and health professionals are dealing with their disease.

These stories are told with compelling footage from their daily lives. We see how they make lifestyle changes as they shop for heart healthy food and prepare meals. They appear in consultation with their primary care physicians and cardiologists. We see what they do for exercise as well as how, with their physicians, they’ve modified their medications. We also see how they’ve overcome barriers to managing their disease, sought treatment for depression, and whom they’ve turned to for support.

The companion booklets offer additional information on CVD, self-management, and prevention of cardiac events, as well as a glossary of CVD related terms and referrals organizations that provide useful information and services on cardiovascular health.

With more and more Americans diagnosed with heart disease every day, this timely and important message will attract viewers and offer them real hope and real tools they can use to live longer, healthier lives.