| Featured Research Conquering Cardiovascular Disease: Turning Discovery Into Health We now know that a diet high in saturated fat and cholesterol can lead to clogged arteries and heart attacks, but that was not always common knowledge. The landmark Framingham Heart Study of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), begun in 1948, has helped identify the primary risk factors for heart disease. These include high blood pressure and high blood total cholesterol levels, low HDL cholesterol levels, smoking, obesity, diabetes, and physical inactivity. During World War II, before the NHLBI was established, 2 million Americans died from heart disease—many times more than died from conflict-related injuries in the war itself. Today, although heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, changes in behavior and the widespread implementation of effective medical and surgical treatments have led to a dramatic 40 percent drop in annual deaths from heart disease and stroke. Refresh your memory of coronary heart disease risk factors. Learn more about how research is helping to conquer cardiovascular disease. Risk Assessment Tool for Estimating 10-Year Risk of Developing Heart Disease This online calculator, which is based on data from the Framingham Heart Study, estimates 10-year risk for "hard" coronary heart disease outcomes (myocardial infarction and coronary death). The tool is designed to estimate risk in adults aged 20 years and older who do not already have heart disease or diabetes. Input fields include age, sex, total and HDL cholesterol, smoking status, hypertension treatment status, and systolic blood pressure. Try the online 10-year risk calculator. Popular NHLBI Resources Diseases and Conditions Index (DCI): High Blood Cholesterol
Are your patients confused by all their cholesterol numbers? Understanding what the numbers mean and their importance can help your patients manage their health. Visit the NHLBI’s improved Diseases and Conditions Index (DCI) to find plain-language information about cholesterol levels and risk categories that you can share with your patients. The DCI is a free, online resource based on current science and NHLBI-funded medical research. The DCI provides health information to help Americans live healthier lives. Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With TLC (shown)
The TLC (Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes) program is a three-part approach that uses diet, physical activity, and weight management to help patients reduce high blood cholesterol. Even if your patients need to take a cholesterol-lowering medication, following the TLC program can help assure that they take the lowest necessary dose. The TLC diet was recently ranked among the best diets in the first-ever U.S. News & World Report "Best Diets" report. Do You Know Your Cholesterol Levels?/¿Cómo están sus niveles de colesterol?
This booklet is part of a series, "Healthy Hearts, Healthy Homes," that presents important information about risk factors for heart disease in a clear, engaging manner in both English and Spanish. News and Events
The Director's Corner: Lancet Article and UN High-Level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases
Noncommunicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, lung diseases, and diabetes, account for more than 63 percent of deaths in the world and are projected to rise even higher in the coming decades. World leaders recently met at the United Nations (UN) High-level Meeting on Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases in New York City to address this critical problem. NHLBI Acting Director Dr. Susan Shurin co-authored a commentary in the journal Lancet in conjunction with the meeting. Titled "Accelerating progress on non-communicable diseases" and written by a committee that included several National Institutes of Health (NIH) leaders, the article calls for a transformation of global strategies on noncommunicable diseases and highlights the NIH’s commitment to combating these diseases. Funding Opportunity: Heart Attack Symptoms and Calling 9–1–1 Campaign for Women
Funding is available for activities and events in support of the Heart Attack Symptoms and Calling 9–1–1 Campaign for Women that was launched by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS’) Office on Women’s Health (OWH) in early 2011. This campaign encourages women across the country over age 50 to recognize the signs and symptoms of a heart attack and call 9–1–1 promptly. Community-based partnerships and collaborations are strongly encouraged to apply. The deadline is October 12, 2011. Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) 2011 National Conference, October 27–30, 2011, San Jose, CA. American Public Health Association (AHPA) 139th Annual Meeting and Exposition, October 29–November 2, 2011, Washington, DC. | 