Mission
The Division of Cardiovascular Health works to provide public health leadership to improve cardiovascular health for all, reduce the burden and eliminate disparities associated with heart disease and stroke.
Heart Disease
“Heart disease” refers to several types of heart conditions. The most common type of heart disease in the United States is coronary artery disease, which affects the blood flow to the heart. Decreased blood flow can cause a heart attack.
CALL 9-1-1 if you or someone you are with shows any signs of a heart attack.
Signs of a Heart Attack 
- Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back.
- Feeling weak, light-headed, or faint.
- Chest pain or discomfort.
- Pain or discomfort in arms or shoulder.
- Shortness of breath.
Risk Factors
- High Blood Pressure (In 2017, 35.2% of Hoosiers were told they have high blood pressure.)
- High Cholesterol (In 2017, 32.8% of Hoosiers were told they have high cholesterol.)
- Diabetes (IDOH Diabetes Information)
- Physical Inactivity
- Poor Nutrition
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol intake
Preventing Heart Disease
- Eat a healthy diet - add more fruits and veggies to your diet.
- Maintain a healthy weight by exercising regularly
- Cut or limit the use of tobacco products
- Have your cholesterol and blood pressure checked by a physician
Useful Resources
Stroke
According to the CDC, a stroke, sometimes called a brain attack, occurs when something blocks blood supply to part of the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. In either case, parts of the brain becomes damaged or die. A stroke can cause lasting brain damage, long-term disability, or even death.
Signs of a Stroke: Act FAST!
Are You at Risk?
Take the Stroke Risk Test: English|Español (PDF)
- Conditions: High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, Heart Disease, Diabetes, Sickle Cell Disease
- Behaviors: Unhealthy Diet, Physical Inactivity, Obesity, Too Much Alcohol, Tobacco Use
- Family History and other characteristics: Age, Sex, Race or Ethnicity
Steps to Prevent Stroke
- Eat a healthy diet; add more fruits and vegetables
- Maintain a healthy weight by exercising regularly
- Avoid tobacco use (including e-cigarettes)
- Limit alcohol use
- Control blood pressure
- Check cholesterol
Useful Resources
Heart Healthy Hoosiers Program
Enrollment is now closed.
The Heart Healthy Hoosiers Program provides free health screenings for cardiovascular disease and diabetes to all adults 18 and older living in Indiana. The program is offered at various community events and through targeted healthcare systems located in rural areas and among minority populations.
All participants will receive a preliminary health screening, including a blood draw. Program providers will discuss blood panel and health screening results with the participant and will refer them to their choice of lifestyle behavior change program, such as the Diabetes Prevention Program, Eat Smart Move More, self-monitoring blood pressure programs, and several others. Six to eight months after the participant’s initial health screening, they will be contacted by a program provider and invited to return for a follow-up health screening to see if their health improved.
Targeted populations include those who have not received preventive health screenings during the COVID-19 pandemic and/or those who are at higher risk of adverse side effects from COVID-19 due to risk factors such as being overweight, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and other cardiovascular-related risk factors. Target counties include rural counties and those with lower vaccination rates based on Indiana Department of Health vaccination data. Referrals to COVID-19 tests and/or vaccines will occur at these screening events and/or may be available at the screening site itself.
Heart Healthy Hoosiers aims to increase access to COVID-19 resources, vaccines, and tests as well as lifestyle change programs. The program also aims to improve participants’ health by promoting long-lasting heart-healthy lifestyles through screenings and lifestyle change programs, decreasing the risk for adverse effects of COVID-19 and other diseases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible?
All adults, 18 years and over, who live in Indiana, regardless of income or insurance.
Where do screenings take place?
At various community events and within participating health systems. Contact Lauren Casey if you would like more information about finding an event or health system.
What happens at the screening?
You will fill out a survey asking about your demographic information and health habits. You will then receive a health screening, including height, weight, blood pressure, and hip circumference measurements, a blood lipid panel, and a diabetes blood test. A program provider will discuss your screening results with you and refer you to any needed COVID-19 resources and/or a lifestyle change program.
What happens after the screening?
If you are interested, you will be enrolled into your choice of lifestyle change resource. You will be engaged in the program for six to eight months, depending on the resource, and will then be contacted to come back for a rescreen to reassess your health. The same tests performed at the initial health screening will be performed at the rescreen. Completion of a lifestyle change program is not required to receive a rescreen.
Program Contacts
Laura Heinrich
Cardiovascular Section Director
Lheinri@health.in.gov
317-233-7449