Resources

Heart Disease Resources

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, so it naturally occupies a spot as one of the most pressing public health concerns. Yet at the same time, deaths associated with the disease have declined dramatically over the last decades, raising the hope that further improvements in heart health are on the horizon. If you are a public health professional and your work touches upon this common killer, below you will find useful free resources to help you stay abreast of the latest developments and informed of the essentials.

Featured Online Programs

Open Access Journals

Given the prevalence of heart disease, new research is published every day, but usually in pricy subscription-based journals. Below you will find journals that don't charge you to read their articles, but still manage to publish respectable, high-impact heart disease research.

  • BMC Cardiovascular Disorders

    Publisher: BioMed Central

    If you are already engrossed in the science behind healthy heart functioning and cardiovascular disease, this journal is a free and useful addition, publishing relevant studies related to heart and circulatory problems.

  • JRSM Cardiovascular Disease

    Publisher: Sage Journals

    A peer-reviewed, online journal dedicated to pathology, epidemiology and treatment for all aspects of cardiovascular disease.

  • Open Heart

    Publisher: BMJ

    This online-only, open-access journal is co-published by BMJ and the British Cardiovascular Society with articles covering important developments in cardiovascular therapies.

  • Journal of the American Heart Association

    Publisher: Springer

    This new journal is published by the most reputable heart health organization in the United States. Its articles are all freely available and cover the biological workings of the cardiovascular system that lead to heart attacks and strokes.

OpenCourseWare

The heart is an amazing human organ. Understanding how it works and what can go wrong is no easy undertaking. But these free course materials from the nation's top universities should get you started.

  • Rural Hypertension in China

    This fascinating lecture from 2010 examines the dangerous spike in hypertension, stroke, and cardiovascular disease in China emerging along with the country's economic development.

  • Cardiovascular Pathophysiology

    This free course material from Tufts can help you deepen your understanding of common cardiovascular diseases.

  • A Love-Hate Relationship: Cholesterol in Health and Disease

    Few things are as closely associated with heart attacks as cholesterol, but it's not so simple. These course materials from MIT will put you well on your way to understanding the complex relationship between this unpopular molecule and heart health.

Research Organizations

Despite great improvements in treatment over the past decades, heart disease is still the most common cause of death around the world. The major research organizations below are dedicated to the substantial work that still needs to be done.

Professional Organizations

Given the sheer number and range of people affected by heart disease, most healthcare professionals will encounter this disease regularly throughout their careers. These organizations are dedicated to supporting the doctors, nurses, and scientists who battle heart disease often or even everyday.

  • Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association

    Nurses are often the first to identify risks factors for cardiovascular disease among their patients. With around 20 local chapters, the PCNA works to help nurses through education, networking, and seminars.

  • American College of Cardiology

    With local chapters throughout the United States the ACC provides continuing education and network opportunities to all health professionals caring for patients with heart disease.

  • American Society of Nuclear Cardiology

    This organization of over 4,500 members worldwide focuses on improving the education and professionalism of cardiovascular imaging specialists.

  • American Society for Preventive Cardiology

    The ASPC aspires to represent a multidisciplinary group of professionals, including doctors, researchers, and nurses, dedicated to preventing cardiovascular disease.

  • American Society of Hypertension

    The largest professional organization of hypertension, or high blood pressure, researchers across the United States, the ASH publishes a journal, conducts research, and sponsors continuing education programs.

Public Awareness Organizations

Heart attack and stroke are the two leading causes of death in the United States, but they are also two of the most preventable. These advocacy organizations work to educate and change lifestyles, saving millions of lives in the process.

  • WomenHeart

    Because men are more likely to suffer from heart disease, the 42 million American women with the condition are often overlooked. This organization raises awareness and helps these women with their plight.

  • Million Hearts

    This national initiative by the Department of Health and Human Services aims to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes by 2017, the two leading causes of death in America.

  • World Heart Federation

    Working toward the World Health Organization goal of reducing the worldwide cardiovascular disease mortality rate by 25% by 2025, the World Heart Federation focuses its advocacy on improving policy in low- and middle-income countries.

  • American Heart Association

    Founded in 1924, the American Heart Association has 144 local offices, over 2,700 employees, and millions of volunteers working to reduce heart disease and stroke.