Educational Materials for Patients

Heart Disease

Fact Sheets

• Heart Disease Fact Sheet
• Men and Heart Disease
• Women and Heart Disease
• Atrial Fibrillation Fact Sheet
• Heart Failure Fact Sheet
• Know the Signs and Symptoms of a Heart Attack

Podcasts

• A Cup of Health with CDC: Help a Hurting Heart
  National Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month—October 2010
  For most medical conditions, early detection and a quick response are important for a positive outcome. That’s especially true with a sudden cardiac arrest, during which the heart abruptly stops beating effectively, resulting in loss of blood flow to the brain and other vital organs.
  Date released: 10/14/10
• Ask CDC Podcast Series: Women–Be Smart About Your Heart
  This podcast is about heart disease and women and what you can do to reduce your risk.
  Date released: 4/20/2009
  
• A Cup of Health with CDC–Listen to Your Heart
  Each year, approximately half a million Americans die from a heart attack. Robert Merritt discusses the causes of heart attacks and the advancements in drug treatments and new cardiac technologies, including automated external defibrillators.
  Date released: 3/20/08
  
• A Minute of Health with CDC–Listen to Your Heart
  Each year, approximately half a million Americans die from a heart attack, and this broadcast discusses common symptoms of an impending heart attack.
  Date released: 3/20/08
  

Other Resources

The following Web sites include government health links and resources about heart disease—

• CDC's Heart Disease Web Site
• The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
• Medline Plus (A service of the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health)

Stroke

Know the Facts About Stroke

This full-color, easy-to-read handout describes the risk factors, signs and symptoms, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of stroke.

• Know the Facts About Stroke [PDF–390K]

Fact Sheets

• Stroke Fact Sheet
• Know the Signs and Symptoms of a Stroke
• American Indian and Alaska Native Heart Disease and Stroke Fact Sheet
• The Stroke and Heart Attack Prevention Program (SHAPP) Fact Sheet

Podcasts

Listen to CDC podcasts for reliable health and safety information when and where you want it.

• World Stroke Day 2009—Stroke: What Can I Do?
  Stroke strikes fast—you should too!
  Date released: 10/29/09
• A Cup of Health with CDC—Watch Those Signs
  Strokes are the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of disabilities among adults in the United States. Rob Merritt discusses how to decrease the risk for a stroke and common signs and symptoms associated with this event.
  Date Released: 5/15/08
• A Minute of Health with CDC—Watch Those Signs
  This broadcast discusses how to decrease the risk for a stroke and common signs and symptoms associated with this event.
  Date Released: 5/15/08
  

Other Resources

The following Web sites include government health links and resources about stroke—

• CDC's Stroke Web Site
• What You Need to Know About Stroke–National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
  
• Know Stroke–Act in Time National Institutes of Health
  
• Stroke–National Institute on Aging
  
• Reducing Your Risk of Stroke [PDF-322K]–American College of Physicians/American Heart Association

High Blood Pressure

Know the Facts About High Blood Pressure

This full-color, easy-to-read handout describes the risk factors, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of high blood pressure.

• Know the Facts About High Blood Pressure [PDF–305K]

Fact Sheets

• High Blood Pressure Fact Sheet
• Pulmonary Hypertension

Podcasts

Listen to CDC podcasts for reliable health and safety information when and where you want it.

• A Cup of Health With CDC: Dealing with High Blood Pressure
  High blood pressure (HBP) increases the risk for heart disease and stroke, the first and third leading causes of death in the United States. Nearly 30% of the U.S. adult population had HBP during 2001–2004, and HBP was not controlled in approximately 70% of those persons. To assess the prevalence of actions to control HBP, CDC analyzed data from 20 states. The results indicated that nearly all adults with HBP were taking at least some action, but some persons can take additional actions, including dietary changes, exercise, and taking prescribed medication.
  Date Released: 5/4/2009
• A Cup of Health with CDC: Living a Less Salty Life
  Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. A diet high in sodium, or salt, can raise blood pressure. Dr. Darwin Labarthe discusses the importance of lowering your salt intake in order to minimize the risk of developing hypertension.
  Date Released: 4/2/2009

Other Resources

The following Web sites include government health links and resources about high blood pressure—

• CDC's High Blood Pressure Web Site
• American Heart Association: High Blood Pressure
• American Society of Hypertension
• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: What Is High Blood Pressure?
• National Institutes of Health: High Blood Pressure
• Spanish Fotonovela: How to Control Your Hypertension [PDF–3.78M]
  A story about a family trying to help the father control his high blood pressure through diet, exercise, and prescribed medications. The fotonovela also contains information and learning activities to help anyone prevent or manage high blood pressure.

 

Cholesterol

Know the Facts About High Blood Cholesterol

This full-color, easy-to-read handout describes the risk factors, signs and symptoms, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of high blood cholesterol.

• Know the Facts About High Blood Cholesterol [PDF–364K]

Fact Sheets

• Cholesterol Fact Sheet
• Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

Podcasts

Listen to CDC podcasts for reliable health and safety information when and where you want it.

• National Cholesterol Education Month
  Do you know your cholesterol numbers? Your doctor can do a simple test to check your cholesterol levels and help you make choices that lower your risk for heart disease and stroke.
  Date released: 9/9/2009
  

Other Resources

The following Web sites include government health links and resources to learn about cholesterol:

• CDC's Cholesterol Web Site
• National Cholesterol Education Program: The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
• Cholesterol: Medline Plus (A service of the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health)
• Cholesterol at HeartHub for Patients: American Heart Association

Salt

Fact Sheets

• Sodium Fact Sheet
• Sodium Questions and Answers [PDF–527K]

Podcasts

• A Cup of Health with CDC—Living a Less Salty Life
  Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. A diet high in sodium, or salt, can raise blood pressure. Dr. Darwin Labarthe discusses the importance of lowering your salt intake in order to minimize the risk of developing hypertension.
  Date released: 3/31/09
• A Minute of Health with CDC—Living a Less Salty Life
  A diet high in sodium can lead to high blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. This broadcast discusses how people can improve their health by becoming aware of the salt content in their food.
  Date released: 3/31/09

CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports (MMWRs)

• Application of Lower Sodium Intake Recommendations to Adults—United States, 1999–2006
• MMWR highlights sheet [PDF–117K]

Other Resources

The following Web sites include government health links and resources to learn about salt:

• CDC's Salt Web Site
• American Heart Association—Shake Your Salt Habit
• American Society of Hypertension
• Center for Science in the Public Interest
• NHLBI—Reduce Salt and Sodium in Your Diet
• National High Blood Pressure Education Program
• Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Diet
• New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
• Nutrition.gov: What’s in Food—Salt and Sodium
• United States Department of Agriculture—Information on Salt/Sodium
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration—Lowering Salt in Your Diet