PHILADELPHIA (November 3, 2005) Heart disease and stroke account for nearly 30 percent of all deaths among Hispanic Americans per year. In addition, high blood pressure affects about one in five Hispanics in the United States. The American College of Physicians (ACP) created "Guide to a Healthy Heart for Latinos," a program geared towards combating these statistics and explaining the role blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and weight control have on long-term health. Supported by an educational grant from Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., the program is available to the public on-line at the ACP website www.doctorsforadults.com.

"Guide to a Healthy Heart for Latinos" is a culturally relevant heart health education program featuring a DVD and guidebook for patients, that aims to educate Hispanics about positive health behaviors and empowers them to talk to their doctors about their blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar numbers to assure they are in a healthy range. The program features well known Latin celebrities, Rita Moreno and Esai Morales, whose lives have been affected in one way or another by heart disease.

By sharing their personal experiences on the "Guide to a Healthy Heart for Latinos" program, these celebrities are issuing a call-to-action for the Hispanic community to become more aware of heart health. The program also features internal medicine physicians, motivational personal stories and practical tools to help track information and ensure productive dialogue among patients and health care professionals.

Heart disease and stroke rank as the number one cause of death among Hispanic Americans. Age, heredity, tobacco smoke, physical inactivity, obesity and weight issues, high blood pressure and cholesterol all play a role as well. In fact, more than 65 million people in the U.S. have high blood pressure, yet many don't know it.

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Contact: Leigh Fazzina
lfazzina@acponline.org
215-351-2514
American College of Physicians
3-Nov-2005

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