The British Heart Foundation (BHF) has launched a new resource, produced by Twofour, specifically designed to help people with learning disabilities understand their risk of coronary heart disease. ‘Live with a healthy heart’, a combined DVD and booklet, gives vital information and guidance to people with learning disabilities about improving their heart health and reducing their risk of coronary heart disease. It includes information on how to quit smoking, lead a ‘keep fit’ lifestyle, control blood pressure and cholesterol levels and eat a balanced and healthy diet.

The DVD follows the stories of six people with learning disabilities and shows them on their journeys as they learn a healthier way of life. Giro Mitchellini is 45 and lives in Kilburn he was filmed whilst attending the Community Access Group in Westminster. Giro said:

“I have to take tablets every day to control my diabetes and I’m also overweight. I have now developed a healthy action plan, I go swimming and dancing to keep fit and I’m also trying to lose weight so that I can go to horse riding which I used to really enjoy.”

Cathy Ross, Heart Health Cardiac Nurse at the British Heart Foundation (BHF) said:

“The risk of heart disease can be reduced if people have the right knowledge, support and resources.

“Whilst information about heart disease and its risk factors is widely available to the general public it’s not easily accessible for people with learning disabilities. ‘Live with a healthy heart’ is a much needed source of information to help people with learning disabilities make the right lifestyle choices, reduce their risk of coronary heart disease and protect their heart health”

Jim Blair, who presents the DVD and is Senior Lecturer in Learning Disabilities at Kingston and St. George’s University of London and Interim Consultant Nurse (learning disabilities) at St. George’s Healthcare NHS Trust said:

“This is a vital resource for anyone with learning disabilities and their families. It will help to breakdown the barriers which exist and offer essential support and guidance. Between 14% and 20% of people with learning disabilities die prematurely from coronary heart disease and they tend to lead unhealthy lifestyles purely due to a lack of knowledge. ‘Live with a healthy heart’ can give them the guidance they need.”

Twofour producer Alice Kilpatrick said:  “This is the first resource that Twofour has ever made specifically for people with learning disabilities. It was a real challenge to make the DVD accessible, and we needed to draw on all our communications know-how at every step of the production process. We knew we had to make the films engaging as well as informative, something that people really wanted to watch. I think we’ve pulled it off, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved.“

To order a copy of ‘Live with a healthy heart’ go to bhf.org.uk/publications and type ‘Live with a healthy heart’ or call 0870 600 6566.

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