The Cardiovascular Disease Program

Our Cardiovascular Disease Program:

Kaiser Permanente's PHASE ( Prevent Heart Attacks And Strokes Everyday) program is for members who are at risk for having a stroke and heart attack. PHASE includes measures to prevent and treat patients with chronic conditions.

Cardiovascular disease includes:

• Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
• Stroke (CVA)
• Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
• Diabetes
• Heart Disease

These conditions are caused by, or can lead to, hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis). This occurs when fat-like deposits called plaque, build up within the arteries. Over time, this can narrow the space inside the artery and harden the walls of the blood vessel. Hardening of the arteries can lead to a stroke and heart attack.

Risk factors for hardening of the arteries:

• Smoking
• Excessive weight/inactivity
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• High blood sugars
• Diet
• Family history

The Vascular Disease Program consists of a trained team including:

• Physician specialists:
  • Cardiologist
  • Endocrinologist
  • Nephrologists
• Your primary care physician
• Clinical health educators
• Pharmacists
• Clinical support staff

Medications:

Note medications which may prevent or treat a heart attack or stroke:

Aspirin	Thins your blood and is an anti-inflammatory
Statin (i.e., lovastatin)	Lowers your LDL and prevents blood clots and inflammation of your arteries
ACE Inhibitor (i.e., lisinopril)	Lowers your blood pressure
Beta Blocker (i.e., atenolol, metoprolol)	Reduces the workload of your heart

Talk to your physician to see if these medications are right for you.

What You Can Do?

Follow "Best Practices" (high-quality treatment recommendations) to reduce your chances of having a heart attack and stroke:

• Quit smoking
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Eat low-fat, high fiber foods
• Be physically active 30 minutes or more, most days of the week
• Sign up for your personal program to help achieve your goals in mind/body health, weight management, nutrition, and fitness.

As a Kaiser Permanente member, you may:

• Participate in related health education classes.
  • Cholesterol Class
  • Smoking Cessation Class
  • Diabetes and Nutrition Class
• Be asked by your physician to get lab tests
• Be asked by your physician to take medications

Vascular Disease Information:

• More About Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
• More About Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
• More About Coronary Artery Disease
• More About Chronic Kidney Disease
• Statins For High Cholesterol
• More About Strokes
• Quit Smoking

Resources

• American Diabetes Association
• American Heart Association
• Children With Diabetes
• Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases
• National Cholesterol Education Program