The Dutch Heart Network, consisting of GP practices and the four hospitals in the Southeast Brabant region, have developed a lifestyle program together with the TU / e.
With the web app, people with an increased risk of heart disease can improve their lifestyle.
Scientists from TU / e will use the data provided by the app to further develop the program.
TU / e professor and cardiologist Prof. Lukas Dekker of the Catharina Hospital: “Prevention is the ultimate treatment for many potential cardiovascular patients! An old health care law has been cast in concrete: prevention is simply better than cure. ”
The web app is made available free of charge. “Each participant sets his own targets within the program. If you can walk 100 meters in one day, the program challenges you to literally go a step further every time, ”explains TU / e associate professor and cardiologist Dr. Hareld Kemps of the Maxima MC. “By means of motivational messages and lifestyle challenges, we activate people to get started and above all: to keep working.”
The added value of this project lies in the composition of the participants. The Dutch Heart Network is the driving force behind the program. In that network, GPs, ambulance services and the four hospitals are successfully joining forces to improve heart care in the region. “Because scientists from the TU / e are now joining this project, there is enormous potential,” says Lukas Dekker. “Those scientists are investigating how we can help people improve their lifestyle.” Hareld Kemps is also enthusiastic about the collaboration: “All ingredients are there to make this program successful, with hopefully the most important outcome: better health of the people in Southeast Brabant.”
The input from participants is of course important in this experiment: how do they experience the use and usefulness of such a program and what benefits can be obtained from this? Kemps: “With this information we will continue to develop in order to achieve an increasingly better adapted lifestyle change program.”
In the Netherlands, about one and a half million people live with cardiovascular disease. These diseases are currently the most important cause of death in the Netherlands. Risk factors for developing these diseases include an unhealthy diet and little exercise. Research has shown that by living a healthy life you can prevent many of these cardiovascular diseases.
During the online event ‘SAMEN HEALTHY | within heart care ‘, which will take place digitally on Tuesday 27 October 2020, it will be shared what the program looks like and what participants can do with it. After this event, participants will be given access to the program. The program can be reached via a website on the smartphone, laptop and tablet. Interested parties are invited to participate.
To do this, go to Tuesday 27 October www.samengezondhart.nl and follow the session live.
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