May is national High Blood Pressure Education Month; there’s still time to encourage activities in your organization and raise awareness.

According to the American Heart Association, high blood pressure is usually preventable with simple steps, yet it kills more people worldwide than any other condition. High blood pressure is the most important controllable risk factor for stroke, yet one in three American adults has high blood pressure.

Various organizations have resources available to help raise awareness of this recognition month as well as providing educational resources for patients and professionals that can be used throughout the year. Here are just a few:

National Heart, Lungs, and Blood Institute

Million Hearts

Centers for Disease Control

American Heart Association

Start with Your Heart

Measure Up Pressure Down

Great Plains Quality Innovation Network is actively working with providers, patients, partners and stakeholders to implement evidence-based practices that support the Million Hearts® initiative goal to prevent heart attacks and strokes. We provide resources and assistance on preventive cardiovascular best practices – the ABCS (Aspirin Therapy, Blood Pressure Control, Cholesterol Control and Smoking Cessation).

Click here for resources, educational webinar recordings and to learn how you can become a partner to improve cardiac health across our region.