Oakwood Healthy Hearts for Women Program Shows Positive Results

For , learning about the issue of women's heart health has gone much further than treatment of disease.

In 2006, Oakwood partnered with the Ford Motor Company Fund in a five-year study into women’s heart health using personal cardiac coaches. What started out as a study targeted at reducing the risk of heart disease in women has evolved into a network of support and the creation of an extensive list of health-related resources.

The study identified 400 metro Detroit women, all of whom were at risk for heart disease. The first 200 women who signed up for the study will complete the Healthy Hearts for Women program and graduate in July.

As the program begins to wrap up, the benefits–both in terms of learning about women's heart health and helping 400 metro Detroit women to become healthier–are quite tangible, according to Oakwood.

Kay Hunt, 65, is in her fifth and final year of the program that she credits with saving her life.

“I lost my husband, found out I was diabetic and my 88-year-old mother started to go downhill with her Alzheimer’s,” said Hunt of Lincoln Park. “If I hadn’t been in this study and taking all the different classes offered, I don’t know how I would’ve handled the stress in my life. This is truly the best thing I’ve ever done for myself.” 

Of the 400 women chosen for the study, Hunt is one of about 200 participants selected to receive access to classes and activities and work one-on-one with a personal coach. While some may have a physical limitation, that doesn’t stop them from trying new things, including classes on stress and relaxation, yoga, building your best life and, most recently, the Latin-inspired workout known as Zumba.

Recently, about 15 members of the program joined Dearborn-based Zumba instructor team Detroit Vibe Tribe for a modified version of the class.

"We were very excited to work with the Healthy Hearts women," said Christy Baas, co-owner of Vibe Fit, which teaches the Latin-inspired dance fitness class. "We made modifications so the workout could be done in a chair and at a lower impact to the body. Our goal was for the women to have fun so they will continue to make exercise a healthy, happy part of their lives."

The various classes, activities and other coaching sessions are meant to help women in their quest for a balanced and healthy life. Peggy Manchester, one of three personal cardiac coaches involved with the program, has been working with participants for the past five years.

“What I’ve realized as a coach is that it’s really about the whole person and how they are handling their life and their stress and how engaged they are,” said Manchester. “It’s really about meeting the person where they are in order to help them make goals and break those goals down into manageable baby steps.”

Though the first graduates of Oakwood Healthy Hearts for Women end their time with program this month, the study will continue for one more year. For more information about Women’s Heart Health, visit www.Oakwood.org.