About HeART Health Course

Welcome to HeART Health Training. This educational tool has been designed to help practice nurses and other healthcare professionals develop and widen their knowledge in the area of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the modifiable risk factors associated with CVD.

The aim of the training package is to provide you with the information to equip you with the necessary skills to deliver CVD advice to patients who either need general diet and lifestyle advice, or who may need to make changes to their diet and lifestyle to reduce their risk of CVD.

After completing this training package, you will be able to:

Use statistics to explain that CVD is the leading cause of mortality in the UK
Describe the major regional, socioeconomic and ethnic differences in rates of death from CVD across the UK
Define the main risk factors for CVD
Describe the role of diet and lifestyle factors in reducing the risk of CVD
Explain the role of cholesterol in the development of CVD and define the main causes of high cholesterol levels
Describe the role of dietary fats in heart health and list the dietary sources of each type of fat
Define and describe the role of other dietary factors in cardiovascular health, such as fruit and vegetables, whole grains, fibre, salt, soya, B vitamins, functional foods and alcohol
Explain to a patient the link between obesity and CVD
Describe the role of physical activity in reducing CVD risk and to be aware of the current Government recommendations for physical activity
Describe and explain the psychology of eating
Identify barriers to making lifestyle changes
Set effective goals with patients

The tool comprises the following sections:

Section 1: Introduction to cardiovascular disease
Section 2: Risk factors for cardiovascular disease
Section 3: Diet and cardiovascular disease
Section 4: Maintaining a healthy weight
Section 5: Physical activity
Section 6: Delivering heart health advice to patients

Using the training package

Each section provides detailed information for you to read, but has been designed to be quick and easy to use. At the end of each of sections 2-6 you will find a set of test questions corresponding to the information you have just read and we suggest that you read through each section in order. If you would like to go back to review a section once you have completed it you can do so.

To move from one page to the next, click on the Next Page button at the bottom of the page. To move between sections please use the Training and Results table. Clicking on each section in the table will take you to the introduction page or the page you last visited in that section.

Test questions and pass rate for accreditation

The test questions are multiple-choice, simply click on the option that you think is correct and submit your answers. Each section is scored, and should you get any wrong, the correct answers will be revealed once you have completed and submitted the test.

Remember, you only have one chance to submit your answers.

If your total score for all tests answers is more than 28 out of 38 (approximately 75%), you will be posted an RCN accredited certificate to confirm that you have successfully completed the HeART Health Training package.

Reflection and evaluation

At the end of the training package, there is a reflection form which you can print off and complete for your professional portfolio. You will also find an evaluation form, to be completed online. This will enable us to continually improve and enhance the quality of the nurse training package in the future.

For further reading

A list of references is supplied at the end of each section to help you to gain a more in depth knowledge about heart health.

In addition, section 7 provides a list of organisations and web-based resources that we recommend – here you will find contact details and information on cardiovascular disease, diet and physical activity as well suggested further training and conferences.

Contributor details

The training package has been written by a number of qualified professionals:

Diet and nutrition

Kate Twine, Registered Dietitian
Anna Wheeler, Registered Nutritionist
Jacqui Morrell, Registered Dietitian

Physical activity

Professor Alison McConnell – Sport Sciences Research Development, Brunel University

Register & take part

To take part in the interactive aspects of the Online Training Resource you will need to register. Once registered you will be able to keep track of your score and progress, logging in and out of the site at your leisure.

Time commitment for the training package

The approximate amount of time you will need to complete the package is as follows:

Section 1: Introduction to cardiovascular disease – 15 minutes
Section 2: Risk factors for cardiovascular disease – 30 minutes
Section 3: Diet and cardiovascular disease – 30-40 minutes
Section 4: Maintaining a healthy weight – 30-40 minutes
Section 5: Physical activity – 20-25 minutes
Section 6: Delivering heart health advice to patients 20-25 minutes

Additionally, you will need to leave time at the end of each of sections 2-6 for the test questions corresponding to the information you have just read, these are multiple choice and should take 5-10 minutes.