Lifestyle and Behavior Change Tools

The Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association's Heart Healthy Toolbox: Lifestyle Change Tools for Health Care Professionals and Their Patients, is a compilation of healthy heart resources to support heart-healthy lifestyle education for adult patients in both the cardiology and primary care settings. The tool includes healthy heart resources on:

  • Motivational interviewing
  • Healthy eating
  • Exercise and physical activity
  • Smoking cessation
  • Sleep
  • Stress management
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Heart Healthy Toolbox

PCNA recognizes the critical roles that healthy nutrition, physical activity, and exercise, avoidance of tobacco and successful management of stress play in cardiovascular health. We also recognize the challenge of communicating evidence-based information and, more importantly, coaching patients with behavior change, in the space of a brief clinical encounter. We hope that these patient education and clinical tools will amplify your efforts.

These healthy heart resources are divided into 4 sections (
75-pages):

  • Professional Resources
  • Healthy Eating Resources
  • Exercise and Physical Activity Resources
  • Total Health Resources

See below for a description of each tool.

English

Free to download (login required)

Disclaimer: This and other PCNA educational materials are for information purposes only and are not intended to replace medical advice or diagnose or treat health problems. Health-related decisions should be made in partnership with a healthcare provider. It is the reader's responsibility to seek out the most current, accurate information. This disclaimer should appear at the bottom of every patient education tool page.

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Professional Resources, Healthy Eating, Exercise, and Total Health

The Heart Health Toolbox is divided into 4 sections.

Professional Resources

  • Navigating the Hurdles - Helping Your Patients Overcome Barriers to a Healthier Lifestyle
  • My Healthy Life Check-up - Baseline Assessment Tool
  • Tips for the Coach - Brief Guide to Motivational Interviewing
  • SMART Goals for Lasting Change - Specific Measurable, Adjustable and Time-Based Goals
  • Physical Activity as a Vital Sign - Assessment and Exercise Prescription
  • Professional Reference - Resources
  • Professional Reference Websites
  • References for Your Patients - Patient Resources

Healthy Eating Resources

  • Jotting It Down - Your Eating Diary
  • Where's the Salt, Really? - Sodium Content in Foods
  • Choose Your Fats Wisely - Different Types of Fats: How to Choose
  • Sweet Treats - How to Limit Added Sugar
  • Size Matters - Portion Control
  • Energy Balance - More than Just Math: What Makes You Gain or Lose Weight?
  • More Bang With Each Calorie - The Concept of Nutrient-Rich Foods
  • Fiber Facts - How to Increase Fruits, Vegetables, and Whole Grains
  • It's Not Just What You Eat, But Why - Understanding the Reasons Behind Eating Behaviors
  • Hunger is the Best Seasoning - Responding to Hunger Signals Appropriately
  • A Healthy Diet Without Breaking the Bank - Shopping on a Budget
  • Dressing on the Side, Please! - Six Tips for Eating Healthy When Eating Out
  • What to Drink? - How to Choose Among the Many Beverage Choices

Exercise and Physical Activity Resources

  • Move More, Sit Less - Ways to be More Active Every Day
  • That First Step - Starting a Physical Activity Program
  • It's Never Too Late - When You Are Older or Have Health Problems
  • Keeping on Track - Physical Activity Goal-Setting Worksheet
  • The Choices Are Limitless! - Weather, Safety, and Budget Challenges
  • All That and More! - The Many Benefits of Exercise
  • Tricks of the Trade - Ten Tips on How to Stick to Your Plan
  • Exercise Really is Medicine - Exercise Prescription

Total Health Resources

  • Small Changes Make a Big Difference - Encouraging Step-wise Changes Over Time
  • Smoke-Free Life - Resources to Support Smoking Cessation
  • Sleep, Blessed Sleep - The Importance of Adequate for Your Health
  • Life Can be a Stress Test - Stress Management Suggestions
  • No Man - or Woman - is an Island - Friends and Family Can Improve Your Health
  • The Power in How You Think - Change Your Thoughts to Get the Results You Want

Disclaimer: This and other PCNA educational materials are for information purposes only and are not intended to replace medical advice or diagnose or treat health problems. Health-related decisions should be made in partnership with a healthcare provider. It is the reader's responsibility to seek out the most current, accurate information.