Back in August, we introduced you to the determined group of women who would carry on the torch for the Parkview Heart Institute’s Her Heart Challenge program. Each participant had a different story, a different motivation and different goals, but, as we discovered, they shared a fierce ambition for change.
“Having this program is so important because it creates awareness that heart disease is the number one killer of women, but also, it teaches us that you can find love and support among other women. As women, we need to be there for one another, instead of tearing each other down,” Jill Zahm, MSN, RN, AHN-BC, program coordinator, Parkview Heart Institute, said.
Each participant came to the challenge with different risk factors, some with multiple issues. After their final weigh-ins and set of screenings, the women had proof of their efforts. As a group, the final tallies revealed:
- 100% increased their well-being score
- 177.8 pounds lost (average 12.6
7.4 pounds lost)
- 92% reduced their blood sugar
- 57% reduced their cholesterol
- 66% reduced their triglycerides
- 89% reduced their blood pressure
“While these numbers are important, it’s learning that you deserve self-care and the lifestyle change that occurs,” Jill said. “This is the true difference; the numbers are the trickle down result of that change.”
When we’re talking about numbers, the most important ones to know are these: 1 in 3 women die of heart disease every year, but it’s 80% preventable. There is no other magic number. It’s not just your weight, cholesterol, glucose or A1C. Prevention is about managing a healthy lifestyle overall.
What’s next for this class? Jill says it comes down to paying it forward. “We expect our graduates to share what they’ve learned and spread the word.”
Are you ready for the challenge?
Get an application for the 2020 Her Heart Challenge today.