Purdue News

April 16, 1999 Extension improves heart health in Marshall County WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Marshall County residents are exercising more, eating healthier foods and lowering their cholesterol thanks to Purdue University Cooperative Extension educator Karen Richey. More than six million Americans suffer from symptoms of cardiovascular disease. A person who has a heart attack often spends five to seven days in the hospital for a cost that can easily exceed $10,000. Richey wanted to prevent heart problems before they started. "It's usually the people who have had a heart attack that want the information," Richey said, "but I felt if I could also offer it to help prevent problems, it would be well worth the time and effort." Doctors say that many people could save themselves heartache and expense if they'd eat right and exercise. But changing diet and exercise patterns isn't easy. Even after people feel the need to change, they must learn how, Richey said. Structured social support helps them make the transition. Starting in 1992, Richey offered a four-lesson program called "The Heart Healthy Living Series." Of the 460 residents of Marshall County in northern Indiana who have enrolled since then, 69 percent had elevated blood cholesterol levels. The others just wanted to avoid future heart trouble. When Richey checked their progress six months after the program, she found that 31 percent of participants had lower cholesterol levels. More than half of the participants were exercising more. Nine out of 10 said they now bought more low-fat foods, thanks to Richey's program. More than three-quarters said they ate less fat. "I have high blood pressure, and heart trouble runs in my family," said participant Dina Bradley, "and I wanted to learn more to help myself. The course was very, very good." Richey teaches students how to read food labels, then takes them to a grocery store where they learn to check labels when they shop. She demonstrates heart-healthy exercises. Dr. John Bernero, a cardiologist, explains what poor habits can do to a person's heart -- graphically illustrating the problems caused by clogged arteries. "The classes were packed," Bradley said, "and from the questions I heard people asking, many knew nothing of what they were supposed to do before they came." Source: Karen Richey, (219) 935-8545, karen_richey@ces.purdue.edu Writer: Rebecca J. Goetz, (765) 494-0461, rjg@aes.purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page