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Heart Health and Stroke Home > More Resources

• Publications
  • Blood Pressure
  • Cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • Heart Attack
  • Heart Disease
  • Menopause and Hormone Therapy
  • Overweight and Obesity
  • Physical Activity and Exercise
  • Recipes
  • Smoking
  • Stroke
• Organizations

Publications

Blood Pressure

1.     DASH* to the Diet: Prevent and Control High Blood Pressure Following the DASH Eating Plan - This updated booklet contains a week's worth of sample menus and recipes recalculated using 2005 nutrient content data. The "Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension" eating plan features plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other foods that are heart healthy and lower in salt/sodium. It also contains additional information on weight loss and physical activity.

   http://hp2010.nhlbihin.net/mission/partner/healthy_eating.pdf

2.   High Blood Pressure - This page is a list of resources about high blood pressure. It links to publications from many different organizations, recent news articles, and clinical trials as well.

   http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/highbloodpressure.html

3.     Prevent and Control High Blood Pressure: Mission Possible. What You Should Know About Preventing and Controlling High Blood Pressure - This fact sheet for people with high blood pressure provides information on risks associated with high blood pressure and tips for preventing and controlling it. It is designed for clinicians to give to patients.

   http://hin.nhlbi.nih.gov/mission/partner/should_know.pdf

4.   Your Guide to Lowering Blood Pressure - "You can do it!" is the message in this action-packed guide. Follow step-by-step instructions on how to achieve and maintain a lower blood pressure through lifestyle and, if prescribed, medication. It is filled with practical advice about how to find your target weight, use herbs and spices to reduce sodium intake, and even how to remember to take your blood pressure medication.

   http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/hbp_low/index.htm

5.   Your Guide to Lowering High Blood Pressure - This web site, sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, is an interactive guide that provides basic answers to your questions about high blood pressure, offers tips and quizzes about high blood pressure and heart health, and gives information about medications and how to talk with your doctor.

   http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/index.html

= Federal Resource

Cholesterol

1.   Cholesterol - This page is a list of resources about cholesterol. It links to publications from many different organizations, recent news articles, and clinical trials as well.

   http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cholesterol.html

2.   High Blood Cholesterol - This web site describes the basic facts of high blood cholesterol, including what it is, what causes it, the symptoms, and treatments.

   http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Hbc/HBC_WhatIs.html

3.   High Blood Cholesterol - What You Need to Know - This publication for patients and the general public is based on new clinical guidelines for cholesterol testing and management. Find out what your cholesterol numbers mean and what treatment your doctor may prescribe to help lower your cholesterol level. It includes a tool to estimate the risk for having a heart attack, and outlines ways to reduce risk.

   http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/chol/wyntk.htm

4.   Live Healthier, Live Longer: Cholesterol Counts for Everyone - Visit this interactive page to find information about preventing heart disease and reducing the risk of having a heart attack for those with heart disease. It contains recipes, a "how to" guide for lowering cholesterol, and many engaging activities.

   http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/chd/

5.   National Cholesterol Education Program's Cholesterol Month Kit, The - The National Cholesterol Education Program has produced this unique packet including sample educational materials, tip sheets, and recipes to help you plan and conduct health promotion activities or just learn about lowering your own cholesterol. This year's kit is unique, and the online format makes it easier than ever to access and disseminate the latest information on cholesterol.

   http://hin.nhlbi.nih.gov/cholmonth/chol_kit.htm

6.     Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol with TLC - TLC (therapeutic lifestyle changes) is a set of tools you can use to get results. This easy-to-read booklet is designed to help you make the lifestyle changes that will lower blood cholesterol and reduce your risk for heart disease. It explains how to follow the TLC diet (low in saturated fat, trans fat, and dietary cholesterol), increase physical activity, and manage weight for people whose cholesterol level is above their goal. The guide includes helpful lists and charts, sample menus, a 10-year coronary heart disease risk calculator, and many tips for success.

   http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/chol/chol_tlc.pdf

7. What Are Healthy Levels of Cholesterol? (Copyright © AHA) - This brochure discusses the health risks of having high cholesterol. It defines what high risk levels are and what your LDL level should be.

   http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=183

= Federal Resource

Diabetes

1.     Be Smart About Your Heart. Control the ABCs of Diabetes: A1C, Blood Pressure, and Cholesterol - This two-color twofold brochure explains the link between diabetes and heart disease and encourages people with diabetes to take action to control the ABCs of diabetes: A1C, blood pressure, and cholesterol.

   http://www.ndep.nih.gov/diabetes/pubs/ControlABC_broch_Eng.pdf

2.   Prevent Diabetes Problems: Keep Your Heart and Blood Vessels Healthy - This publication provides information on problems associated with diabetes, especially heart and blood vessel problems. It lists preventive measures and treatment options.

   http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/complications_heart/index.htm

3.     Take Care of Your Heart, Manage Your Diabetes - This patient education flyer tells people with diabetes about the link between diabetes and heart disease and encourages them to manage their blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Each flyer has a record form to enable people with diabetes to keep track of their numbers and work with their doctors to reach their target goals.

   http://www.ndep.nih.gov/diabetes/pubs/TCH_AsAm_flyer_Eng.pdf

4. Diabetes (Copyright © AHA) - This web site introduces non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (type 2 diabetes), and explains the dangers it can pose to a patient for developing cardiovascular disease. The same information can be found at www.iknowdiabetes.org/

   http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3044745

= Federal Resource

Heart Attack

1.   Act in Time to Heart Attack Signs - The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health, designed this web page as part of a campaign to increase awareness of the need to act fast when someone may be having a heart attack. Fast action can save lives and limit damage to the heart.

   http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/actintime/index.htm

2.   Heart Attack - This web site describes the basic facts of heart attack, including what it is, what causes it, the symptoms, and treatments.

   http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/HeartAttack/HeartAttack_WhatIs.html

3. Heart Attack (Copyright © AHA) - This web page links to information from the American Heart Association about how to prevent a heart attack and how to care for yourself after suffering a heart attack.

   http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1200005

4. Heart Attack Symptoms and Warning Signs (Copyright © American Heart Association) - This fact sheet lists signs and symptoms of a heart attack, such as chest discomfort, discomfort in other areas of the upper body, including the arms, back, jaw, or stomach, and shortness of breath. It also explains the heart attack symptoms women experience more than men, and what to do if you think you are having a heart attack.

   http://216.185.112.5/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4595

= Federal Resource

Heart Disease

1.     Heart Truth for Women: An Action Plan, The - Good news! Heart disease is a problem you can do something about. This fact sheet will help you find out your personal risk of heart disease. Then, it will show you how to take steps to improve your heart health and reduce your chances of developing heart disease.

   http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/hearttruth/material/factsheet_actionplan.pdf

2.     Heart Truth for Women: If You Have Heart Disease, The - This brochure is for women who know they have heart disease. In addition to general information about screening, risk factors, and treatment of heart disease, it contains information on how to write a Heart Attack Survival Plan. This plan will inform emergency medical personnel and hospital staff of medications you are taking, how to contact your doctor and family, and on other important information in the event you suffer a heart attack.

   http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/hearttruth/material/factsheet_heartdisease.pdf

3.   Take Time to Care: Heart Disease in Women - This fact sheet, from the Food and Drug Administration, explains the signs of heart disease, including trouble breathing and a "heavy" or "tight" feeling in the chest. It provides tips to lower your risk for heart disease specifically for women.

   http://www.fda.gov/womens/getthefacts/heart.html

4.     Your Guide to a Healthy Heart - Take charge of your heart health! This booklet, designed for both women and men, is an action plan for heart health. It provides up-to-date information and practical tips about establishing and maintaining a heart healthy lifestyle, including understanding the risk factors for heart disease, determining your risk, and establishing a plan for heart health. Perfect for sharing with family and friends.

   http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/your_guide/healthyheart.pdf

5. Heart Disease Prevention: 5 Strategies Keep Your Heart Healthy (Copyright © Mayo Clinic) - Five simple steps for preventing heart disease are outlined for people who are at risk of developing heart disease because of genetics or their lifestyle. These steps include lessening or stopping tobacco use, having a healthy diet, and exercising.

   http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-disease-prevention/WO00041

6. Women's Heart Disease Risk Quiz (Copyright © WHF) - Are you at risk for heart disease? Take this quiz to find out.

   http://www.womensheartfoundation.org/content/HeartDisease/heart_disease_risk_qui...

= Federal Resource

Menopause and Hormone Therapy

1.     Facts About Menopausal Hormone Therapy - This brochure summarizes the risks and benefits of postmenopausal hormone therapy. It is designed to provide patients with information to help them communicate more effectively with their doctor or nurse and determine the best course of treatment on an individual basis.

   http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/women/pht_facts.pdf

2. Heart Disease Risk Determines Menopausal Age Rather Than the Reverse (Copyright © AHA) - This publication summarizes the Framingham Heart Study, which found that an increased risk for heart disease lowers a woman's age at which she reaches menopause. These findings are different from previous beliefs that menopause can increase a woman's risk for cardiovascular disease.

   http://www.heart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3040745

3. Menopause Guidebook (Copyright © NAMS) - This guidebook explains the emotional and physical changes that often accompany menopause. It also explains what to expect and how to take care of yourself after menopause.

   http://www.menopause.org/edumaterials/guidebook/guidebook.aspx

4. Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy and Cardiovascular Disease in Women (Copyright © AHA) - This fact sheet summarizes recent studies concerning postmenopausal hormone therapy (PHT) and the risk for cardiovascular diseases. It presents the American Heart Association's position on PHT, stating that hormone therapy should not be used for cardiovascular prevention, and includes questions and answers for PHT users.

   http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4536

= Federal Resource

Overweight and Obesity

1.   Aim For A Healthy Weight! - These guidelines from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute present a new approach for assessing whether someone is overweight or obese. They also establish principles of safe and effective weight loss. Calculate your obesity risk online. If you need to lose weight or need help maintaining your current weight, there are items to help you get started, including recipes, shopping tips, and advice on choosing an exercise program.

   http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt/patmats.htm

2.   Frequently Asked Questions - Obesity and Weight Loss - This fact sheet defines obesity and explains some of the factors that contribute to becoming overweight or obese. It provides statistics on how many women are obese, explains the serious health problems associated with obesity, and how obese women can lose weight and improve their health.

   http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/weightloss.htm

3.   Frequently Asked Questions: Obesity and Overweight - This fact sheet contains statistical information on how many Americans are overweight or obese and explains their differences. It offers examples on how these conditions can affect your health and recommendations on how to loose weight.

   http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/faq.htm

4.   Statistics Related to Overweight and Obesity - To understand the significance of statistics related to overweight and obesity, it is important to know how overweight and obesity are defined and measured. This fact sheet discusses these terms, how they are measured, and explains why statistics may differ when obtained from diverse sources. It then presents statistics related to overweight and obesity in the United States.

   http://win.niddk.nih.gov/statistics/

5.   Understanding Adult Obesity - This fact sheet provides basic information about obesity: What is it? How is it measured? What causes it? What are the health risks? What can you do about it?

   http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/understanding.htm

6.     Your Guide to a Healthy Heart - Take charge of your heart health! This booklet, designed for both women and men, is an action plan for heart health. It provides up-to-date information and practical tips about establishing and maintaining a heart healthy lifestyle, including understanding the risk factors for heart disease, determining your risk, and establishing a plan for heart health. Perfect for sharing with family and friends.

   http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/your_guide/healthyheart.pdf

7. Overweight and Obesity in Children and Adolescents (Copyright © MCH Library) - This fact sheet discusses overweight and obesity in children and adolescents. This fact sheet also discusses ways to combat childhood obesity and provides links to more resources.

   http://www.mchlibrary.info/KnowledgePaths/kp_overweight.html

= Federal Resource

Physical Activity and Exercise

1.   Exercising for a Healthy Heart - This health education program will help you understand the benefits of being physically active. It explains how physical activity makes your heart healthier and provides exercising options and tips in an interactive, online tutorial format.

   http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/exercisingforahealthyheart/htm/inde...

2.     Your Guide to Physical Activity and Your Heart - You know you should be more physically active, but are confused concerned, or just can't get started? This guide uses science-based information to help adults develop a safe and effective program of physical activity that can be sustained. All research indicates that regular, moderate physical activity will improve your heart health and how you look and fell. Find out about the importance of physical activity in reducing heart disease risk, and how to begin or maintain an activity program that's right for you!

   http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/phy_active.pdf

3. Choose to Move (Copyright © AHA) - This is a free on-line physical activity program for women from the American Heart Association.

   http://www.choosetomove.org/

4. Exercise (Copyright © Texas Heart Institute) - This fact sheet describes what exercises to do to maintain a healthy heart.

   http://www.texasheartinstitute.org/HIC/Topics/HSmart/exercis1.cfm

5. Exercise and a Healthy Heart (Copyright © AHA) - This article contains information about why physical activity is important, how it can help improve the condition of your body, how to do low-impact exercises, and when you should consult your healthcare provider.

   http://216.185.112.5/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1518

= Federal Resource

Smoking

1.   Smokefree.gov - Smokefree.gov is intended to help you or someone you care about quit smoking. Different people need different resources as they try to quit. The information and professional assistance available on this web site can help to support both your immediate and long-term needs as you become, and remain, a nonsmoker. Resources include telephone hotlines, print materials and an Internet instant messaging service.

   http://www.smokefree.gov

2.   Smoking Among Adults: Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke - This supplement to the 2004 Surgeon General's Report on the health consequences of smoking provides information on how heart disease and stroke are related to smoking.

   http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/sgr/sgr_2004/highlights/3.htm

3.   Smoking and Tobacco Use - The CDC's Office on Smoking and Health provides this extensive resource for tobacco-related publications, educational materials, reports, news, and information on how to quit. It has special sections for kids, teens, adults, community service workers, and more.

   http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/

4. Cigarette Smoking and Cardiovascular Diseases (Copyright © AHA) - This pamphlet informs the reader about how smoking can increase your risk of coronary heart disease. It also mentions how smoking can increase the risk of stroke and peripheral arterial disease.

   http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4545

= Federal Resource

Recipes

1.     Keep the Beat: Heart Healthy Recipes - This cookbook takes aim at heart disease by serving up a collection of simple recipes and tips based on years of research, clinical studies, and educational programs. All recipes in this 145 page book are low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium, and come complete with detailed nutritional information.

   http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/ktb_recipebk/ktb_recipebk.pdf

2.   Stay Young at Heart - Cooking the Heart Healthy Way - Banana-nut bread? Barbecue chicken? Beef stroganoff? Pumpkin pie? Sound too good to be true? The recipes in this packet will convince you that healthy dishes can also be delicious. Each recipe also lists total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, and calories per serving.

   http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/index.htm

3.     When Delicious Meets Nutritious: Recipes for Heart Health - Here's some terrific news: What's good for your heart is great for your taste buds. The recipes in this fact sheet show you don't have to lose flavor to gain health. Heart-healthy cooking simply means making dishes that are low in saturated fat, total fat, cholesterol, and sodium. As an added bonus, these dishes have fewer calories than those higher in fat. Includes "Classic Macaroni and Cheese" and "1-2-3 Peach Cobbler."

   http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/hearttruth/material/factsheet_recipes.pdf

4.     Your Guide to Lowering Blood Pressure with DASH - Get with the plan that is clinically proven to significantly reduce blood pressure! This updated booklet contains a week's worth of sample menus and recipes recalculated using 2005 nutrient content data. The "Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension" eating plan features plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other foods that are heart healthy and lower in salt/sodium. It also contains additional information on weight loss and physical activity.

   http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/new_dash.pdf

5. Delicious Decisions (Copyright © AHA) - Search the American Heart Associations database of recipes that are good for your heart! This web site also contains information about what to eat when eating out and what to buy at the supermarket.

   http://www.deliciousdecisions.org/

6. Low-Cholesterol Recipes (Copyright © AHA) - Discover how easy it is to avoid excess saturated fat and cholesterol while enjoying mouth-watering foods. These recipes and more are found in the American Heart Association Low-Fat, Low-Cholesterol Cookbook.

   http://americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3049153

7. Low-Sodium Recipes (Copyright © AHA) - Try one of these recipes and discover how delicious low-sodium meals can be. These recipes and more are found in the American Heart Association Low-Salt Cookbook, 3rd Edition.

   http://americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=572

= Federal Resource

Stroke

1.   Know Stroke. Know the Signs. Act in Time - This publication contains information on what a stroke is, what the signs of someone having a stroke are, and what can be done to prevent stroke.

   http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/knowstroke.htm

2.   Stroke - This web page links to information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about stroke. It contains frequently asked questions, statistics, risk factors, and more.

   http://www.cdc.gov/stroke/

3. Stroke Risk Factors (Copyright © AHA) - This page describes the risk factors you can control, the ones you can’t, and link to other information about stroke from the American Heart Association.

   http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4716

4. What is a Stroke? (Copyright © WHF) - This web site describes what a stroke is, how to prevent one, and further research that is needed to discover more about strokes.

   http://www.womensheartfoundation.org/content/Stroke/what_is_a_stroke.asp

5. Women and Stroke: Unique Symptoms in Women (Copyright © ASA) - This fact sheet describes the unique symptoms that women may experience when having a stroke, in comparison to the general symptoms that both men and women may experience. It also provides guidelines on how to act "F.A.S.T." and respond to an emergency situation.

   http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=WOMSYMP

= Federal Resource

Organizations

1.   Heart Truth: A National Awareness Campaign for Women about Heart Disease, The
2.   National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH, HHS
3.   National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, HHS
4. American Heart Association
5. American Stroke Association
6. Mended Hearts, Inc.
7. National Stroke Association
8. Sister to Sister - Everyone has a Heart Foundation
9. Texas Heart Institute
10. Women's Heart Foundation
11. WomenHeart - National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease

= Federal Resource

Content last updated March 19, 2008.