Frequently Asked Questions
1. What happens in the Healthy Heart Schools Program?
2. Why is it important to fill out the questionnaire?
3. What do you do with the results of the testing?
4. Why do you need my childs health card number?
5. Is all information kept confidential?
6. Can I download a copy of the questionnaire?
7. Is the cholesterol test invasive?
8. What do the letters stand for on the cholesterol sticker?
9. Is the blood pressure test like the one in the drug store?
10. What is BMI?
11. When is it important to follow up with my family health care provider?
12. Is my child healthy?
13. Does the student get a certificate for taking part in the CPR day?
14. Can I also participate in the same kind of assessment as my child?
1. What happens in the Healthy Heart Schools Program?
Grade 5
There is 1 class for the Healthy Heart Schools Program. On the Assessment Day students learn about cholesterol, blood pressure and body measurement tests. There is also a healthy lifestyle questionnaire and consent that the teacher gives you to fill in before the student can participate. The student receives a take home sheet with all the results.
Grade 7
There is 1 class for the Healthy Heart Schools Program. On the CPR/AED Day the student learns about saving lives. There is also a healthy lifestyle questionnaire and consent that the teacher gives your child to bring home and fill in before they can participate.
Grade 9
There are 2 classes for the Healthy Heart Schools Program. On the CPR/AED Day the student learns about saving lives and on the Assessment Day the student learns about cholesterol, blood pressure and body measurement tests. There is also a healthy lifestyle questionnaire and consent that the teacher sends home to fill in before the student can participate. Students will receive a CPR certificate and take home sheet with all their individualized results.
Before Heart Niagara comes to the school the teacher has probably already had classes on the heart, heart disease and not smoking . We do not test for blood sugar and diabetes in this program.
2. Why is it important to fill out the questionnaire?
Regardless of whether your child participates in the assessment day testing, the questionnaire provides valuable information regarding family history, sleep patterns, personal health, nutrition and physical activity habits. This information helps our research with SickKids to determine healthy guidelines for adolescents.
3. What do you do with the results of the testing?
The results are used to help educate students about heart disease risk factors and a healthy heart lifestyle. The results are also used for research purposes in partnership with Cardiovascular Clinical Research Unit - The Hospital for Sick Children.
4. Why do you need my childs health card number?
The health card number is the only unique identifying number people have throughout life. Long term health research depends on being able to connect different data sets, our health card number is needed for this reason only.
5. Is all information kept confidential?
All information is handled in a confidential manner and is stored in a secure and private location. No information is shared with researchers unless we have a written agreement with them and ethics fundamentals are met.
6. Can I download a copy of the questionnaire?
Please do:
Grade 5 questionnaire booklet
Grade 7 questionnaire booklet
Grade 9 questionnaire booklet
7. Is the cholesterol test invasive?
Cholesterol is tested with a simple finger prick test. The finger prick lasts less than a second and feels like someone flicking your finger. Many kids and adults with diabetes do this every single day. This is not a fasting blood test and the kids feel better if they have breakfast.
8. What do the letters stand for on my cholesterol sticker?
TC - Total Cholesterol: the good and bad cholesterol levels are included in this number.
HDL - High Density Lipoprotein: your healthy/good cholesterol (you want a lot of this).
Non-HDL - everything that is not your healthy cholesterol.
TC/HDL - a ratio of how much good cholesterol (HDL) you have compared to how much total cholesterol is in your body.
For more information on cholesterols click here.
9. Is the blood pressure test like the one in the drug store?
Yes and no. We use a machine called BpTru and it is the same one used in research, hospitals and health care provider clinics. We put a cuff on their arm that blows up with air and deflates slowly. It is uncomfortable but does not hurt. It takes less than 2 minutes to calculate blood pressure. If the student moves around or talks when the machine is working then we will likely have to repeat it to get a more accurate BP.
10. What is BMI?
BMI stands for Body Mass Index and is a comparison of your weight compared to your height. BMI alone does not mean very much as other factors need to be considered. In the Healthy Heart Schools Program, BMI and waist circumference are used together to decide if your size and shape will put you at risk for developing diabetes and heart disease in the future. New research is showing that even if your body size is above the limits, you can protect your heart as long as you are physically active.
11. When is it important to follow up with my family health care provider?
It is important to follow up with your doctor or nurse practitioner if you get a letter and phone call from us about your child's results. One initial test is not enough to say there is a problem but enough to say it is a good idea for at least one more follow up with your family health care provider.
12. Is my child healthy?
Yes! Even if you received a letter and phone call suggesting you follow up with your family health care provider, your child is healthy! All the risk factors for heart disease take many years to cause a heart attack. Now is the time to choose a change for more activity and less unhealthy food.
13. Does the student get a certificate for taking part in the CPR day?
After you successfully complete your course in CPR, you will be given a HeartSaver (A) certification card that is valid for 2 years. This certification can be useful when applying for jobs so be sure to keep it in a safe place.
14. Can I also participate in the same kind of assessment as my child?
Yes you can. In the past 24 years over 50,000 grade 9 students have participated in the Healthy Heart Schools' Program. If you went to high school in the Niagara Region since 1987 you probably remember getting your finger poked for a drop of blood and your cholesterol tested. The HEADS UP Project is the continuation of the Healthy Heart Schools Program for adults. If you would like to participate please download the questionnaire booklet, fill it in and call Heart Niagara, 905-358-5552, to book an appointment with the nurse practitioner for an assessment.
back to top
We have a New Lookl!
| Heart Niagara is excited to announce the launch of our new website. Stay tuned for more details! |
| MORE |