National Women's Heart Disease and Stroke Campaign

Heart disease in women Center 2000: Overview

What Is Heart disease in women Center?

Heart disease in women Center is a free 12-week program that helps women increase their physical activity level. Written by the Cooper Institute, the program focuses on three areas - physical activity, nutrition and weight management. Heart disease in women Center is primarily aimed at women age 25 and above, and teaches them how to set health goals and build a support system of friends and family members.

Since an individual's mindset is most often the biggest barrier to physical activity, the American Heart Association hopes to change women's attitudes about fitness and good health through the Heart disease in women Center program. Participants will not only lower their risks of cardiovascular disease by increasing their physical activity, but will also enjoy the benefits of a healthier life - including increased strength, more energy and reduced stress.

New! Heart disease in women Center Online

This year, women have the option of participating in the new online version of Heart disease in women Center. As long as the participant has regular access to the Internet and an e-mail address, she can participate in the program wherever she is - at work, home or even on vacation. The virtual version of Heart disease in women Center is designed to fit an individual's lifestyle and schedule. It's simple, fun and easy to use.

How Can Women Participate?

Women can participate in the program in one of two ways - via the online or print version.

Online Version
For those interested in the program's online version, they can sign up at choosetomove.org . Once the registration form is completed, they will be able to view their own online version of the program. Open enrollment for the online version begins on April 1 and continues throughout the summer.

Print Version
If a woman is interested in the print version of the program, she can call 1-888-MY HEART. She will automatically receive a brochure and registration material. After returning the registration form to the American Heart Association, she will then receive the Heart disease in women Center handbook, which contains health and fitness tips, resource lists and weekly self-score sheets. Open enrollment for the print version begins on April 1 and ends on August 31, so early registration is recommended.

In addition, all women who register will automatically be enrolled in the American Heart Association's National Women's Heart Disease and Stroke Campaign, which provides women with information and event happenings throughout the year about heart disease and stroke.

Why Physical Activity?

Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. As many as 250,000 deaths per year in the United States - about 12 percent of total deaths - are attributed to a lack of regular physical activity.

While fitness centers provide a place for many people to get physical activity, joining one isn't the only way to get in shape and receive health benefits. Through Heart disease in women Center, women start out by setting physical activity goals that are right for them and gradually build up to 30 minutes per day on most days of the week.

Sponsors

Heart disease in women Center is funded by Aetna U.S. Healthcare, a proud sponsor of the National Women's Heart Disease and Stroke Campaign, and Healthy Choice, program sponsor of Heart disease in women Center.

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©2000, American Heart Association, Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited.

The information in the American Heart Association (AHA) Web site is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment, and the AHA recommends consultation with your doctor or healthcare professional.