Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death in the United States. Because women make 85% of all healthcare decisions, reaching her with heart healthy messages effectively reaches the entire family. Decatur Memorial Hospital has committed to practice gender-sensitive medicine and has joined HeartCaring® to provide clinical information to physicians and educational messages to women.

WHAT IS HEARTCARING?

HeartCaring is a national initiative presented by U.S. hospitals, powered by Spirit Health Group® as part of Spirit of Women®. This clinically-based program helps DMH focus its attention on gender-sensitivity in cardiovascular care. The program byline "Your heart is in your hands" reflects the HeartCaring objective of empowering people in Decatur, Illinois with information about their health wihile creating a partnership with their clinician for prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment. HeartCaring hospitals form a united front of hospitals, primary care physicians, other entry-point clinicians, cardiologists and consumers working together to prevent heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular conditions.

THE GOALS OF THE PROGRAM INCLUDE:

• Ensure that DMH and physician practices recognize the unique heart healthcare needs of women.
• Motivate women to make positive, healthy choices to prevent heart disease.

The HeartCaring inventory of leading edge research and knowledge includes risk factors, early detection, and therapeutic modalities regarding cholesterol, hypertension, P.A.D., stroke, devices/stents, genetics, cardiometabolic disease and diabetes, nutrition/supplements, smoking cessation and exercise.

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?

For more information about HeartCaring, contact Robyn Reising, Executive Director, DMH Heart & Lung Institute, at 217-876-2481 and visit www.heartcaring.com.