Community-Based Approach to Promote Heart Healthy Behaviors in Hispanic Women

The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), quality improvement (QI) project was to increase heart disease risk awareness while implementing healthy lifestyle behaviors in Hispanic women between the ages of 30-65. The literature presents that all women are at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD); with ethnic minorities being disproportionally affected. Following recruitment, participants attended a weekly wellness program guided by the Pasos Adelante curriculum over a 12 week period. Lifestyle behaviors were assessed by using the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP II) questionnaire, CV knowledge was assessed with a brief true or false questionnaire, and the Godin-Shephard Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (GSLTEQ) was used to measure physical activity. The results of this DNP project showed an increase in CVD risk knowledge and an increase in physical activity.