ATTACHMENT 2

Comments From HEAR²T Program Participants

The following comments were provided to the HEAR²T Program nurse by participants near the end of Phase II.

I would like to let you know how fortunate and grateful we all are (employees as well as retirees) to be able to have a program like this especially for people at high risk for heart attacks or strokes. I feel that the Heart Program has helped me tremendously by keeping a close eye on my condition and on any changes that have occurred. I feel very strongly that this program is very important and beneficial to all county employees and retirees and should be continued on a permanent basis.

As you know, "John" is a participant in the Heart Program (after my twisting his arm to fill out those questionnaires). I just wanted to give you some feedback on the program from his perspective. He has said how impressed he is with the program and in his estimation it is better than anything else he has been involved with and any doctor he has seen in his life. Not only that he thinks the advice, analysis etc recommendations and approach by Pauline is more thorough, makes more sense, and is more comprehensive than anything any other doctor has given him. He called me after his first appointment with Pauline just to let me know how impressed he was and to thank me for putting pressure on him to participate.

Thanks to the heart program I am living a healthier and super life. I can't emphasize enough the need for exercise for the physical well being of senior citizens. Your advice on nutrition, exercise and the necessity of controlling blood pressure are excellent goals to follow. I am much more conscious of what I consume as food, although at times I do depart from the regimen, I believed I am in better health now than before I started the program. I am fully conscious of what I do to maintain good health and I look forward to many more years of an active life. Thank you for your fine counseling and effort.

My experience with the Heart Program has been very positive. With all the changes in Health Care it is wonderful to have an extra source of help to manage staying as healthy as possible. Doctors are so rushed, it seems, I do not necessarily have the time to explore subjects of concern. The Heart Program has done a very nice job of providing support and information very necessary for me. I always feel I have enough time to discuss whatever needs attention. Cholesterol and Blood sugar readings have been most helpful. I am exercising on a regular basis and this was entirely due to the reinforcement received there. I didn't believe I could do it, but your were sure that I could, and it looks like you were right. My "numbers" have improved greatly with the advent of exercise. I hope you will continue to provide the support and encouragement that I, and many others need.

One could argue that losing weight can be done independently. However, there is something to be said about having to face a person with whom you have agreed that something needs to be done, only to show that your have not done it. Most importantly, I have accepted my condition as one that requires constant attention due to genetics. Wanting to be around for my kids ( at least a few more years), I have taken the advice to heart (literally) and thanks to Pauline's constant coaching and reminders, I am heeding my doctor's advice concerning prescribed medication. I feel that the Heart Program played an important role in this new acceptance and awareness.

HEAR²T Program opened my eyes and has helped me understand in dealing with high cholesterol and diabetes.

I appreciate what you and the HEAR²T Program have done for me and for Ron, too.

Ron has lost about 15 pounds and has turned another bunch of his weight into muscle! He is full of energy, can out walk me and is having loads of fun with his trainer and the weight and cardio work he does.

I hope that this program does continue since I found it especially helpful. I had bypass surgery in 1998 and took part in Kaiser's Multifit program for about year. I then became part of Heart Program via the County. This was just right for my needs. It was a natural extension and reinforcement of my learning healthy lifestyle changes such as nutrition, weight control, exercise and stress reduction. It was useful to get the lipid panel results to help monitor my progress in controlling cholesterol and triglycerides via a low fat diet. It was a useful extension to the continued testing done at Kaiser, but in a more one-on-one basis with an opportunity to ask questions and receive guidance.

Pauline - Love the tips... just to check in - I am still faithfully attending Weight Watchers and loosing slowly but steadily...down about 15 lbs... : ) My daily glucose are much better... most mornings around 90 and 24 hr average 136... not too bad!! I wanted to share with you... as I am so proud of myself... Thanks for your support...

Thanks for your help and your interest, you are the one that got me to commit to WW, the gym and to think about OA. I would never have gotten serious until after the first or second or third heart attack (which I now plan to skip altogether).