Personal Health

150 WORDS MINIMUM

Physical inactivity is one of the primary risks for cardiovascular disease. The American Heart Association has released a free, Web-based tracking tool (www.Heart360.org) that allows individuals to record and monitor changes in key risk factors over time, including blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, inactivity, and body mass index (BMI). With this tool, you create a secure “health vault” account to save confidential health data. The site evaluates your risk profiles and provides links to educational resources. If your physician has a provider account, you can share results with your physician. The Heart360® tool provides valuable information about cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Visit the Heart360 website and consider how it might help you in tracking your risk factors. Would this type of tool help you adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle? Why or why not? Would the connection with your physician make you more accountable?