Designing a Cardiovascular Health App for Citizens Returning from Incarceration: Where You Start May Not Be Where You End Up

A mobile health (mHealth) smartphone app can help persons returning from incarceration better manage cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CVD risk factors during their re-entry period. A successful intervention to educate and increase self-efficacy in this population around cardiovascular health has potential to produce broad population health benefits. A participatory design (PD) approach was used to define the features and functionality of such an intervention in the form of a smart phone app. The PD process forced the research team to view CV health in the broader context of other challenges that RCs face day to day. It also led to a broadening of the process to include other stakeholders that work closely with RCs, and to explore how these challenges affect the re-entry process. Ultimately, PD led to an app design that emphasized a common problem-solving approach that can be applied to a broad range of problems. An interactive prototype of the app’s interface was assessed by a sample of RCs, users, with consensus that the problem-areas were appropriate and that the app was easy to use and to navigate. A quantitative assessment with the System Usability Survey instrument, yielded an average score of 81.5, placing it in the 90th percentile.

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Physical activity, physical fitness, and cardiovascular health

10.1093/med/9780199232482.003.0025 ◽

2013 ◽

Author(s):

Jos Twisk ◽

Isabel Ferreira

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Cardiovascular Health ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

Hdl Cholesterol ◽

Cvd Risk Factors ◽

Cvd Risk ◽

Apo B

The incidence of morbidity and mortality related to CVD is rather low in a paediatric population. Studies investigating the relationship between physical activity, physical fitness, and cardiovascular health in children and adolescents are therefore mostly limited to CVD risk factors as outcome measures. For this reason, this chapter will focus on the association of physical activity and physical fitness with CVD risk factors in children and adolescents. These risk factors can be divided into the so-called traditional CVD risk factors; that is, lipoproteins [total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglycerides (TG)], blood pressure, body fatness, and diabetes, and ‘new’ CVD risk factors; that is, other lipoproteins [lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), apolipoprotein (apo)B, and apoA-1], coagulation and inflammation markers [fibrinogen, C-reactive protein (CRP)], homocysteine, and heart rate variability.

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Using Cluster Analysis to Explore Associations between Cardiovascular Risk and Lifestyle Factors in a Workplace Wellness Program

Building Healthy Academic Communities Journal ◽

10.18061/bhac.v5i1.7933 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 30-41

Author(s):

Heather Carter-Templeton ◽

Gary Templeton ◽

Barbara Ann Graves ◽

Leslie G. Cole

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cluster Analysis ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Cardiovascular Health ◽

The United States ◽

Workplace Wellness ◽

Wellness Program ◽

Cvd Risk Factors ◽

Cvd Risk ◽

Ideal Cardiovascular Health

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one cause of death in the United States with risk factors including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, obesity, smoking, physical inactivity, age, genetics, and unhealthy diets. A university-based workplace wellness program (WWP) consisting of an annual biometric screening assessment with targeted, individualized health coaching was implemented in an effort to reduce these risk factors while encouraging and nurturing ideal cardiovascular health.Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine and describe the prevalence of single and combined, or multiple, CVD risk factors within a workplace wellness dataset.Methods: Cluster analysis was used to determine CVD risk factors within biometric screening data (BMI, waist circumference, LDL, total cholesterol, HDL, triglycerides, blood glucose age, ethnicity, and gender) collected during WWP interventions.Results: The cluster analysis provided visualizations of the distributions of participants having specific CVD risk factors. Of the 8,802 participants, 1,967 (22.4%) had no CVD risk factor, 1,497 (17%) had a single risk factor, and 5,529 (60.5%) had two or more risk factors. The majority of sample members are described as having more than one CVD risk factor with 78% having multiple.Conclusion: Cluster analysis demonstrated utility and efficacy in categorizing participant data based on their CVD risk factors. A baseline analysis of data was captured and provided understanding and awareness into employee health and CVD risk. This process and analysis facilitated WWP planning to target and focus on education to promote ideal cardiovascular health.

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UK Food Standards Agency Workshop Report: carbohydrate and cardiovascular risk

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114510000735 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 103 (11) ◽

pp. 1688-1694 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Emma Peacock ◽

John Stanley ◽

Philip C. Calder ◽

Susan A. Jebb ◽

Frank Thies ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cardiovascular Risk ◽

Cardiovascular Health ◽

Whole Grains ◽

Cvd Risk Factors ◽

Cvd Risk ◽

Workshop Report ◽

Food Standards ◽

Intervention Trials ◽

The Uk

This report summarises a workshop convened by the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) on 14 October 2008 to discuss current FSA-funded research on carbohydrates and cardiovascular health. The objective of this workshop was to discuss the results of recent research and to identify any areas which could inform future FSA research calls. This workshop highlighted that the FSA is currently funding some of the largest, well-powered intervention trials investigating the type of fat and carbohydrate, whole grains and fruit and vegetables, on various CVD risk factors. Results of these trials will make a substantive contribution to the evidence on diet and cardiovascular risk.

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A Meta-analysis of Vitamin K Status and Cardiovascular Disease (OR33-01-19)

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzz039.or33-01-19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

M Kyla Shea ◽

Daniel Weiner ◽

Gregory Matuszek ◽

Sarah Booth ◽

Kathryn Barger

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Vitamin K ◽

Cardiovascular Health ◽

Proportional Hazards ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Cox Proportional Hazards ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Cvd Risk Factors ◽

Cvd Risk

Abstract Objectives Evidence suggests low vitamin K status may be associated with an increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in people with CVD risk factors. The objective of this study was to summarize the association between vitamin K status and CVD, overall and according to baseline CVD risk, by conducting a participant-level meta-analysis using data from the Framingham Offspring Study, the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study (Health ABC), and the Multi-ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). Methods Circulating phylloquinone (vitamin K1), measured from baseline fasting blood samples, was categorized as ≤0.5 nM, >0.5 - ≤1.0 nM and >1.0 nM. CVD was defined as confirmed ischemic heart disease, angina, resuscitated cardiac arrest, fatal or non-fatal myocardial infarction or stroke. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the association between circulating phylloquinone and incident CVD overall and stratified according to baseline CVD risk factors. Results Among the 3622 participants (mean (SD) baseline age 65 (11), 45% men, 65% white), there were 785 CVD events over a median of 13.0 years. Overall the risk for CVD did not differ significantly according to circulating phylloquinone categories [HR(95%CI) for CVD, compared to plasma phylloquinone >1.0 nM: ≤0.5 nM = 1.15 (0.96–1.38); >0.5 - ≤1.0 nM = 0.99 (0.84–1.18)]. However, lower circulating phylloquinone was associated with higher incident CVD risk in those with diabetes, with a normal BMI, and in women (Table). Conclusions Overall, we did not detect any significant differences in CVD risk across circulating phylloquinone categories in community-dwelling adults. However, low circulating phylloquinone was associated with a higher CVD risk among certain sub-groups, but additional studies are needed to clarify if improving vitamin K status will benefit the cardiovascular health of certain segments of the population. Funding Sources Supported by NHLBI R21HL133421 and the USDA ARS Cooperative Agreement (58‐1950‐7‐707). Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs

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Physical activity and cardiovascular disease risk in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

10.7190/shu-thesis-00398 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Amie Woodward

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Cardiovascular Health ◽

Exercise Intervention ◽

Polycystic Ovary ◽

Exercise Group ◽

Cvd Risk Factors ◽

Cvd Risk ◽

Exercise Interventions ◽

Supervised Exercise

Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex, heterogeneous endocrinopathy affecting metabolic, reproductive, and cardiovascular health in women. Evidence indicates that women with PCOS present with a cluster of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Physical activity (PA) interventions have been shown to reduce various CVD risk factors in women with PCOS. Research also suggests that sedentary behaviours have a distinct deleterious effect on cardiometabolic health. Thus, increasing PA and reducing sedentary behaviour may be a worthwhile therapeutic target to improve cardiovascular health in women with PCOS. The programme of research presented in this thesis investigates the feasibility and acceptability of two PA interventions to improve markers of CVD risk in women with PCOS using both quantitative and qualitive methods. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of exercise interventions on CVD risk factors in women with PCOS provided an evidence base on which to design a supervised exercise intervention. A feasibility randomised controlled trial (RCT) of two physical activity interventions for women with PCOS was conducted. Participants were randomised to either a supervised exercise intervention, a lifestyle physical activity intervention (LPAG) aimed at reducing sedentary behaviours, or a control group, for 12 weeks. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of participants from each group on completion of the RCT to explore the acceptability of the interventions, and barriers and facilitators to PA. Results The systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated that moderate intensity aerobic exercise interventions of ≥three months in duration, with a frequency of three sessions/week, had favourable effects on CVD risk factors. These results informed the design of the RCT. Thirty-six women with PCOS were enrolled onto the feasibility RCT (12 per group). The recruitment rate was 56% and adherence rate to the exercise intervention was considered moderate at 53%. The retention rate was high at 89%, with only five participants lost to follow-up. Adherence to the LPAG was 100%. Two non-serious adverse events were reported in the exercise group, unrelated to trial procedures. For the secondary outcomes, trend data indicates a 14% reduction in oxidised LDL concentrations in the exercise group. In addition, the data indicates weight loss (kg) of 3.4% and 3.6% in the exercise group and the LPAG, respectively. Qualitative data from the interviews (n=11) indicated that the interventions were well received, but acceptability could be improved by providing social connectivity and implementing measures that encourage the adoption of long-term health-promoting behaviours. Conclusions iii The findings suggest that the procedures for recruitment, allocation, and outcome measurements were acceptable. However, adherence to the supervised exercise intervention was below an acceptable rate. The qualitative component provides valuable contextual data that will be crucial to addressing adherence for both the progression to a full-scale RCT, and community interventions for women with PCOS.

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Abstract P013: Prevalence, Correlates and Prognosis of Healthy Vascular Aging in a Western Community-dwelling Population

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.135.suppl_1.p013 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 135 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Teemu Niiranen ◽

Asya Lyass ◽

Martin Larson ◽

Naomi Hamburg ◽

Emelia Benjamin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Regression Models ◽

Cardiovascular Health ◽

Vascular Aging ◽

Cvd Risk Factors ◽

Cvd Risk ◽

Health Score ◽

Unit Increase ◽

Life’S Simple 7

Introduction: Although hypertension in the elderly is no longer considered harmless, increasing arterial stiffness and blood pressure (BP) are still widely seen as inevitable parts of the aging process. However, these phenomena may not be unavoidable as they are nearly absent in populations leading traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyles. Our study had 3 aims: 1) to define a new concept - healthy vascular aging (HVA); 2) to assess prevalence and correlates of HVA in a sample acculturated to a western life-style; and 3) to estimate the magnitude of cardiovascular (CVD) risk associated with HVA vs. absence of HVA. Methods: We studied 3197 Framingham Heart Study participants aged ≥50 years (62±9 years, 56% women) who underwent physical examination, interviews, and measurement of carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) in 1999-2008. We defined HVA as no hypertension (BP <140/90 mmHg without antihypertensive treatment) and PWV <7.6 m/s (equivalent to +2 SD above mean of non-hypertensive reference sample aged <30 years with no CVD risk factors). We used logistic regression models that included physical activity, caloric intake, and classical CVD factors as covariates to assess the correlates of HVA. For each participant, we constructed a cardiovascular health score based on presence vs. absence of 6 modifiable risk factors (cholesterol, plasma glucose, healthy diet score, physical activity, body mass index (BMI), and smoking) defined as dichotomous variables according to the American Heart Association’s Life’s Simple 7 score (modified to exclude hypertension). We estimated odds ratios (OR) per 1-unit increase in cardiovascular health score for HVA. We used Cox regression models adjusted for classical CVD risk factors, including systolic BP, to assess the relationship between HVA and incident CVD events (CVD death, myocardial infarction, heart failure, stroke, and unstable angina). Results: In our sample, only 566 (17.7%) had HVA. Lower age (OR per 1-SD increase 0.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.14-0.23), female sex (OR 2.03; 95% CI 1.54-2.68), lower BMI (OR per 1-SD increase 0.54; 95% CI 0.47-0.63) and no diabetes (OR 0.09; 95% CI 0.02-0.36) were significantly associated with HVA. A 1-unit increase in the cardiovascular health score conferred 1.55-fold (95% CI 1.38-1.74) odds of HVA. During follow-up (median 9.6 years), 391 participants had CVD events. HVA was associated with an age- and sex-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 0.36 (95% CI, 0.22-0.60) and a multivariable-adjusted HR of 0.45 (95% CI, 0.26-0.77) for CVD relative to absence of HVA. Conclusions: One in 6 individuals experiences HVA in our sample. Individuals with HVA are at a considerably low risk of CVD. Prevention strategies targeting modifiable factors and behaviors included in Life’s Simple 7 are important for preventing or delaying vascular aging and the associated risk of CVD.

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What Do We Know about Diet and Markers of Cardiovascular Health in Children: A Review

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16040548 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 548 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Pouya Saeedi ◽

Amin Shavandi ◽

Paula Skidmore

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Arterial Stiffness ◽

Dietary Intake ◽

Cardiovascular Health ◽

Substantial Contribution ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Future Research ◽

Original Research ◽

Cvd Risk Factors ◽

Cvd Risk

Chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the main health concerns in the 21st century, with CVD as the number one cause of mortality worldwide. Although CVD hard endpoints such as stroke or heart attack do not usually occur in children, evidence shows that the manifestation of CVD risk factors begins in childhood, preceding clinical complications of CVD in adulthood. Dietary intake is a modifiable risk factor that has been shown to make a substantial contribution to the risk of CVD in adulthood. However, less is known about the association between dietary intake and markers of cardiovascular health in children. This review summarises the current evidence on the relationship between dietary intake and markers of cardiovascular health including traditional CVD risk factors, physical fitness, and indices of arterial stiffness and wave reflection in children. Original research published in English, between January 2008 and December 2018 fulfilling the objective of this review were screened and included. Findings show that adaptation of a healthy lifestyle early in life can be beneficial for reducing the risk of CVD later in life. Furthermore, keeping arterial stiffness low from a young age could be a potential CVD prevention strategy. However, limited studies are available on diet-arterial stiffness relationship in children, and future research is required to better understand this association to aid the development and implementation of evidence-based strategies for preventing CVD-related complications later in life.

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Red meat and different dietary patterns and cardiovascular health - the review

Journal of Education, Health and Sport ◽

10.12775/jehs.2021.11.09.034 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (9) ◽

pp. 282-288

Author(s):

Monika Borowiecka ◽

Wanesa Góralczyk ◽

Marlena Zając ◽

Agnieszka Brzezińska

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Dietary Patterns ◽

Cardiovascular Health ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Red Meat ◽

Health Issues ◽

Online Database ◽

Cvd Risk Factors ◽

Cvd Risk ◽

Scientific Papers

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are in a majority of health issues worldwide. Dietary habits have been extensively studied in the cardiovascular area since they are responsible for improvement or deterioration of that system condition. One of the most commonly mentioned product is red meat, both processed and unprocessed. Brief description of the state of knowledge: The aim of this review was to present currently available knowledge in the online database PubMed about consumption of red meat and cardiovascular health. The article covers scientific papers which indicate to the risk factor, which is intake of processed and unprocessed meat, and eventually incidents of CVD. It is also claimed that effects of consumption that group of protein may be dependent of its dosage. Conclusions: The review support an assumption that dietary patterns, in this case red meat, processed and unprocessed, play a significant role in being CVD risk factors. Besides, that influence should be measured more precisely and new scientific tools for tracking dietary habits should be input.

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The Roles of Carotenoid Consumption and Bioavailability in Cardiovascular Health

Antioxidants ◽

10.3390/antiox10121978 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. 1978

Author(s):

Yuanhang Yao ◽

Hongyi Manfred Goh ◽

Jung Eun Kim

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Cardiovascular Health ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Vascular Health ◽

Cvd Risk Factors ◽

Cvd Risk ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Health Related ◽

Dietary Carotenoid ◽

Dietary Strategies

Carotenoids are natural pigments generally with a polyene chain consisting of 9–11 double bonds. In recent years, there has been increasing research interest in carotenoids because of their protective roles in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). While the consumption of carotenoids may have a beneficial effect on CVDs, the literature shows inconsistencies between carotenoid consumption and reductions in the risk of CVDs. Therefore, this review aims to provide a summary of the association between dietary carotenoid intake and the risk of CVDs from published epidemiological studies. Meanwhile, to further elucidate the roles of carotenoid intake in CVD protection, this review outlines the evidence reporting the effects of carotenoids on cardiovascular health from randomized controlled trials by assessing classical CVD risk factors, oxidative stress, inflammatory markers and vascular health-related parameters, respectively. Given the considerable discrepancies among the published results, this review underlines the importance of bioavailability and summarizes the current dietary strategies for improving the bioavailability of carotenoids. In conclusion, this review supports the protective roles of carotenoids against CVDs, possibly by attenuating oxidative stress and mitigating inflammatory response. In addition, this review suggests that the bioavailability of carotenoids should be considered when evaluating the roles of carotenoids in CVD protection.

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Neighborhood crime is differentially associated with cardiovascular risk factors as a function of race and sex

Journal of Public Health Research ◽

10.4081/jphr.2019.1643 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mollie R. Sprung ◽

Lauren M.D. Faulkner ◽

Michele K. Evans ◽

Alan B. Zonderman ◽

Shari R. Waldstein

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Cardiovascular Risk ◽

Negative Affect ◽

Violent Crime ◽

Cardiovascular Health ◽

Crime Rates ◽

Cvd Risk Factors ◽

Neighborhood Crime ◽

Cvd Risk

Background: Neighborhood crime may be an important factor contributing to cardiovascular health disparities, and these relations may vary by race and sex. The present investigation evaluated (a) potential differential associations between neighborhood crime and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors within subgroups of African American (AA) and White men and women, and (b) potential mediation by negative affect. Design and Methods: Participants were 1,718 AAs and Whites (58% AA; 54% female; 59% above poverty; ages 30-64 years) living Baltimore, Maryland who completed the first wave of the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span study from 2004-2009. CVD risk factors included body mass index, total serum cholesterol, glucose, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. A negative affect composite was comprised of self-reported depression, anxiety, anger, vigilance, and perceived stress. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to examine associations between per capita overall and violent crime rates, negative affect, and CVD risk factors. Results: There were significant associations of greater overall crime rate with higher fasting glucose (b=.192, P<0.05), and greater violent crime rate with higher systolic (b=86.50, P<0.05) and diastolic (b=60.12, P<0.05) blood pressure in AA women, but not men. These associations were not explained by negative affect. In Whites, there were no significant associations of overall or violent crime rates with cardiovascular risk factors. Conclusions: AA women may be particularly vulnerable to the negative impact of crime on cardiovascular risk. Preventative efforts aimed toward this group may help to deter the detrimental effects that living in a high crime area may have on one’s cardiovascular health.

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