Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Among Female Hospital Employees: The Heart Smart for Women Intervention
Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Among Female Hospital Employees: The Heart Smart for Women Intervention
This study aims to show that a 6-week program designed specifically for women can lead to
 sustainable behavior change and improvement in heart disease risk factors over one year among
 a cohort of 46 female employees recruited from within the Heart Hospital at North Shore
 University Hospital (NSUH). The program is adapted from book "Heart Smart for Women: Six S.
 T. E. P. S in Six Weeks to Heart-Healthy Living," written by Northwell cardiologists Dr.
 Jennifer H. Mieres and Dr. Stacey E. Rosen.

 The 6-week intervention will include a weekly didactic session, with each week devoted to a
 different theme (food, exercise, etc). The intervention will follow the program outlined in
 the book. We will also be using Yammer, an online discussion group part of the Office 365
 suite, to distribute materials and encourage conversations surrounding the theme of the week.
Heart Disease is the leading cause of death in women in the United State. Nine out of ten
 women have one or more risk factors for heart disease and one in three women will die of
 heart disease. However, most women are unaware of these statistics. As a result, women are
 less likely than men to recognize the symptoms of a heart attack and are more likely than men
 to delay in seeking help. The best ways to educate women about heart disease and change their
 behavior to prevent heart disease are unknown.

 More than 80% of heart disease is preventable but requires both knowledge of risk factors and
 adherence to lifestyle changes. This program is designed to address these challenges in
 women, where this is a particular unmet need.

 Some prior community and workplace-based studies have demonstrated short term improvements in
 modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. A community based primary prevention
 program among disadvantaged women decreased the rate of metabolic syndrome, anxiety,
 depression and stress.

 The economic burden of heart disease on employers is significant although workplace employee
 wellness programs have not been shown to decrease employer costs. The impact of employee
 wellness programs on clinical outcome measures have been inconsistent.

 This program is designed to educate female employees about their heart disease risk factors
 and provide tactical support to improve their heart health. Once validated, the program can
 be rolled out to other employees and to the community.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  one or more of the following modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease [as
 defined by the American Heart Association]:

 1. cigarette smoking

 2. high blood pressure

 3. high cholesterol

 4. abnormal blood sugar

 5. sedentary lifestyle

 6. overweight/obese

 -  must be an employee of the Heart Hospital at North Shore University Hospital

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  prior history of heart attack or stroke

 -  pregnancy