Educational Media Reviews Online

This video is a basic introduction to heart health. The narrator begins by defining the role and purpose of the heart: the organ that keeps all the other organs in the body alive and functioning with the constant flow of blood. The narrator further indicates that a person’s lifestyle choices affect the health of the heart. Interviews with health care professionals and a dietician provide the foundation, demonstrating the concepts through various graphics, narration, and statistics. One of the demonstrations and discussions focuses on the difference between good and bad cholesterol, and the effect that cholesterol has on heart health. Other factors, such as obesity, inactivity, smoking, and high blood pressure are discussed in relation to their contribution to the deterioration of heart health. The video concludes by providing some information on ways to lead a healthier lifestyle. Some of the information appears to be oversimplified, but overall it helps to get the message across that healthy eating and physical activity lead to a healthy heart. The information is practical, but does not cover such things as how to get a good exercise program started, or how to develop a healthy menu. The video is best suited for health education at the middle school through college level.