Hispanics Urged To Take Charge Of Their ‘Healthy Hearts’.

Heart disease and stroke account for nearly 30 percent of all deaths among Hispanic Americans per year. In addition, high blood pressure affects about 1 in 5 Hispanics in the United States. In response to this under-recognized public health crisis, the American College of Physicians (ACP) created “Guide to a Healthy Heart for Latinos,” a program geared towards combating these statistics and explaining the role blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and weight control have on long-term health. Supported by an educational grant from Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., the program is available on-line at http://www.doctorsforadults.com

”Guide to a Healthy Heart for Latinos” is a culturally relevant heart health education program featuring a DVD and guidebook for patients, that aims to educate Hispanics about positive health behavior and empower them to talk to their doctors about their blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar numbers to assure they are in a healthy range. The program features well known Latin celebrities, Rita Moreno and Esai Morales, whose lives have been affected in one way or another by heart disease. By sharing their personal experiences on the “Guide to a Healthy Heart for Latinos” program, these celebrities are issuing a call-to-action for the Hispanic community to become more aware of heart health. The program also features medical experts, motivational patient stories and practical tools to help track information and ensure productive dialogue among patients and health care professionals.

Heart disease and strokes rank as the number one cause of death among Hispanic Americans. Age, heredity, tobacco smoke, physical inactivity, obesity and weight issues, high blood pressure and cholesterol all play a role as well. In fact, more than 65 million people in the U.S. have high blood pressure, yet many don’t know it.

“Hispanics are more likely to be overweight and diabetic which are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease and other health problems,” said Doctor Oscar Murillo, Internal Medicine Specialist at Hanover General Hospital in Pennsylvania, and featured on the video. “As a Hispanic physician, I see a critical need to teach patients, in their own language, why they should know their blood pressure and cholesterol numbers and give them the power to communicate with their doctors about heart health by giving them the knowledge and understanding they need.”

For more information at http://www.doctorsforadults.com