Assessing Cardiovascular Health: A Study Of Dallas Heart Walk Participants
Sarah Mitchell Johnson
Assistant Professor, School of Social Work, University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Dr. Mark Davis
Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology & Criminology, University of Arkansas
Dr. Michael Jackson
Assistant Professor and Director of MSW Program, School of Social Work, The University of Alabama
Abstract
This study examines the impact of self-reported health behaviors and the health belief theory on participants in heart-healthy events, such as the Dallas Heart Walk, which supports the American Heart Association's mission to reduce cardiovascular disease and stroke. The American Heart Association developed Life's Simple 7® to assess cardiovascular health through seven metrics, including blood glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol, diet, weight, physical activity, and smoking status. Heart disease and stroke are leading causes of death in the United States, and the AHA's goal is to improve cardiovascular health and reduce deaths by 20% by 2020. The study aims to understand how participants' health beliefs and behaviors align with these goals and whether engagement in heart-healthy events influences their cardiovascular health