Dr. Rebecca Gary, assistant professor of nursing science at the Medical College of Georgia, has received the 2003 Arteriosclerosis/Heart Failure Research Prize from the Council of Cardiovascular Nursing of the American Heart Association and Otsuka America Pharmaceuticals Inc.

The prize recognizes outstanding research by an independent nurse investigator and is intended to stimulate continuing research in arteriosclerosis and heart failure. The prize includes a $5,000 honorarium and an additional $5,000 to MCG's research fund.

The Council of Cardiovascular Nursing supports the American Heart Association mission to reduce death and disability from cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Gary, who teaches on MCG's Athens campus, conducted the research last year while earning her Ph.D. at the University of North Carolina. The project involved 32 elderly women with diastolic heart failure, a dysfunction of the relaxation properties of the heart.

"They were a very physically limited group, but still living at home,"said Gary.

She hopes her findings will spur more exercise programs for the elderly, particularly those with heart disease and/or depression.

Gary randomly divided the women into two groups. One group received information about the health benefits of exercise. The second group received the information as well but also embarked on a 12-week walking program.

Accompanied by Gary weekly, they walked near their homes, beginning at a low intensity and working up to 60 percent of their target heart-rate goal. They were provided with heart-rate monitors and taught to monitor their symptom severity.

She also assessed other measurements of health and quality of life, including heart and lung exams and psychological evaluations.

- Medical College of Georgia