AHN Allegheny General Hospital (AGH) in Pittsburgh has announced the launch of a new health initiative, The AHN Cardiovascular Prevention Program, aimed at improving cardiovascular health among its nursing staff. The program, supported by a $100,000 donation from an anonymous benefactor who benefited from a vegan lifestyle, seeks to address cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors through plant-based diets and lifestyle changes.
Dr. Indu Poornima, cardiologist and medical director of the AHN Women’s Heart Center, is leading the program. “Numerous studies demonstrate that nurses across the country are at a disproportionately higher risk for adverse cardiovascular events compared to the general population,” Dr. Poornima stated. She expressed excitement about launching this lifestyle-modification program with hopes of making a lasting impact on participants and the entire AGH campus.
The initiative responds to findings that nurses face significant stress and high cardiovascular risk post-COVID. A recent study identified sedentary lifestyles, genetic predispositions, obesity, sleep disorders, and alcohol consumption as prevalent risk factors among nurses. Night or rotating shifts further increase CVD risks.
Participants will include 100 AGH nurses with known cardiovascular risk factors from both day and night shifts. The six-month program includes education on vegetarian and vegan diets with cooking demonstrations, focus groups addressing challenges and experiences, progress monitoring through various metrics like BMI and blood work, incentives such as free gym memberships and healthy food options at AGH facilities, and partnerships with virtual fitness programs like Wellbeats.
Dr. Poornima highlighted the broader aim of fostering community health: “This program is about more than just lifestyle modifications – it’s about building community and fostering a culture of health and well-being.” She emphasized empowering nurses to make lasting changes for improved health outcomes for themselves and their families.
