Kurt Vlodek

Research and Planning Writing Assignment May 15, 2016

Highlight the prevalence of heart health issues in women.

Cardiovascular disease, in the form of heart disease or stroke
causes 1 in 3 deaths among women each year more than all cancers
combined (AmericanHeartAssociation.com). The two are symptoms
usually caused by insufficient blood supply (Research Digest, 2004, pg
1). Due to their similar nature and causes, prevention of both can be
achieved through similar means. Staying active has proven to be a
major combatant to cardiovascular disease in men and women alike.
By promoting an active lifestyle for women, especially those who are at
an even higher risk of cardiovascular disease among women, we here
at the Chicago Womens Health Center, will seek to develop a program
aimed at prevention over treatment the symptoms of cardiovascular
disease in women.
Rationale and Research
Our organization already seeks to keep women aware of the
risks, symptoms and treatment options associated with heart disease.
We will couple research results, information and strategically target the
leading causes of heart disease in women. We will encourage women
through age-specific group exercise outings, discounted group fitness
rates, and create member-specific activity goals and incentives set up
by our organization. A campaign of this nature is necessary and
important to educate women, but the rationale is to educate them on

Kurt Vlodek

Research and Planning Writing Assignment May 15, 2016

how to avoid receiving treatment by avoiding contracting

cardiovascular disease altogether.

Key Publics
Our activity campaign will focus on three key publics; all women
of course, but specifically those women at the highest risk of
cardiovascular disease. The first and largest of these publics are
women with more sedentary lifestyles. Unfortunately, this group
encompasses a wide range of women of the general population.
Prolonged sitting predicts an increased risk for diabetes and
cardiovascular disease (Research Digest, 2004, pg 7). The average
adult in the United States watches approximately between 4 and 5
hours of television per day. Coupled with about 8 hours of sitting and
inactivity while at work, and totaling 12-14 hours of inactivity per day,
on average, this puts most working women in this demographic and at
a higher risk.
The next public we will target is pregnant women, with a key
focus towards those who have a past history of heart disease, both
individually and with a past family history, as well as those nearing the
third trimester of their pregnancy. Pregnant women with an underlying
heart disease are at a higher risk of reoccurring future heart failure for

Kurt Vlodek

Research and Planning Writing Assignment May 15, 2016

both them as well as the child. Studies have found that heart failure
was the most common complication during pregnancy, and occurred
typically at the end of the second trimester, or after birth (Ruys, et al).
By staying active after a cardiovascular issue, before a pregnancy, and
long into a womans pregnancy, we will hope to reduce the risk
significantly.
Finally, we will focus our campaign towards older women,
specifically those over the age of 75. Women who are 75 or older are at
a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Part of this is due to a decrease
in the physical activity capabilities of older women. With advancing
age the ability to perform some types of physical activity might
decrease, making light-moderate exercise such as walking especially
important to meet recommendations (Soares-Miranda et. al, 2016). By
encouraging increased activities, such as walking for 30 minutes each
day, women over 75 are at a much lesser risk of contracting
cardiovascular disease.

Kurt Vlodek

Research and Planning Writing Assignment May 15, 2016

References:
Go Red for Women. The American Heart Association. About Heart
Disease in Women. Retrieved from
https://www.goredforwomen.org/home/about-heart-disease-inwomen/
Pepine, C.J. (2004). Ischemic Heart Disease in Women: Facts and
Wishful Thinking. Journal of the American College of Cardiology,
43, (10), Retrieved from
http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezproxy.lib.purdue.edu/science/articl
e/pii/S0735109704007144

Kurt Vlodek

Research and Planning Writing Assignment May 15, 2016

Research Digest. (2004) Presidents Council on Physical Fitness and

Sports. 5, (4). Retrieved from
http://permanent.access.gpo.gov/gpo42230/200412digest.pdf
Ruys, T.P.E., Roos-Hesselink, J.W., Hall, R., Subriana-Doenech, M.T.,
Grando-Ting, J., Estensen, M., Crepaz, R., Fesslova, V., Gurvitz, M.,
De Backer, J., Johnson, M.R., Pieper, P.G. (2014). Heart Failure in
Pregnant Women with Cardiac Disease: Data From the ROPAC.
Heart. 100 (3). Retrieved from
http://heart.bmj.com.ezproxy.lib.purdue.edu/content/100/3/231