The American College of Cardiology Issues CardioSmart Survival Guides on Five Common Heart Conditions

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Feb 15, 2011, 11:00 ET

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of American Heart Month, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) today released CardioSmart "Survival Guides" for five of the most common heart problems: coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmia, hypertension and heart attack. The Survival Guides are part of the ACC's CardioSmart National Care Initiative, a patient-centered campaign to engage people to play an active role in their own heart health and empower them to make better, healthier lifestyle choices.

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Developed by cardiologists for their patients, the Survival Guides are designed to help patients better understand and manage their condition and facilitate productive discussion with their physicians. The Guides provide patients with clear, concise definitions of each condition; tips for living well with each condition; and important questions to ask their health care team.

"Navigating the vast amount of information available on various heart conditions can be overwhelming, confusing, and frustrating," said Ralph G. Brindis, M.D., M.P.H., president of the American College of Cardiology. "These Survival Guides are designed to take some of the guesswork out of taking care of your heart and encourage open discussion with your cardiologist. Something as simple as educating yourself and making small changes every day can have a profound effect on your heart health."

The Survival Guides can be found online at www.cardiosource.org/acc/features/cardiosmartsurvivalguides. The Survival Guides represent one of many tools in the CardioSmart arsenal that help arm patients with information and knowledge. For more information on cardiovascular disease management and strategies for heart-healthy living, please visit www.cardiosmart.org.

About the American College of Cardiology:

The American College of Cardiology is transforming cardiovascular care and improving heart health through continuous quality improvement, patient-centered care, payment innovation and professionalism. The College is a 39,000-member nonprofit medical society comprised of physicians, surgeons, nurses, physician assistants, pharmacists and practice managers, and bestows credentials upon cardiovascular specialists who meet its stringent qualifications. The College is a leader in the formulation of health policy, standards and guidelines, and is a staunch supporter of cardiovascular research. The ACC provides professional education and operates national registries for the measurement and improvement of quality care. More information about the association is available online at http://www.cardiosource.org/ACC.

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American College of Cardiology

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SOURCE American College of Cardiology