The aim of Million Hearts® is to reduce heart attacks and strokes by one million in five years. From 2012-2016, based on preliminary calculations, over 500,000 heart events have been prevented. The metrics used were utilizing the ABCs (aspirin, blood pressure and cholesterol), reducing dietary sodium and trans fats and increasing smoke free space.
For Million Hearts® 2022, the aim is to accelerate towards one million fewer heart events, using ambitious yet realistic targets, and employing the same metrics with the addition of increasing physical activity. Trans fat was drastically reduced by a 2015 food industry regulation and will be eliminated by 2018; removing trans fat from the food supply is estimated to save $140 billion in healthcare costs over the next 20 years.
More About Million Hearts®:
Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Headed
- According to Dr. Tom Frieden of the CDC, our national blood pressure control is currently at 55.9%, improved from about 46% five years ago. The U.S. needs to reduce blood pressure 4 mm/Hg/year to reach one million prevented heart attacks and strokes.
- 75 million American adults have hypertension, and 11 million of them don’t know it. About 57 million Americans are treated, but only 41 million are receiving sufficient treatment.
- The U.S. has 10 million fewer adult smokers than in 2009, but we still have a long way to go. It is notable that 40% of tobacco use is in people with current or past mental health conditions.
- Among the priority populations in the next phase of Million Hearts are the 45-64 age group and African Americans.
Access the Million Hearts® Clinical Quality Measures and Action Guides and Tools for Clinicians.
For more information on our efforts to support the Million Hearts Initiative and improving cardiac health through partnerships, resources, education and shared learning, visit our Web site. Be sure to join our Learning and Action Network to get involved and connected.
Source: The QIN Times Newsletter. Issue 21. January 5, 2017