September 30, 2019
HOUMA — Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS) has been awarded Gold Status by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Medical Association (AMA) for leading the national effort to get patient blood pressure rates under control and reduce the number of Americans who have heart attacks and strokes each year.
CIS is one of 542 physician practices and health systems to be recognized nationally by the AMA and AHA Target: BP program for achieving blood pressure control rates of 70 percent or more in their adult patient population with high blood pressure.
Target: BP is a national initiative between the AHA and AMA aimed at addressing the growing burden of high blood pressure in the U.S. The initiative aims to help healthcare organizations improve blood pressure control rates through the use of the AMA’s evidence-based M.A.P. quality improvement program and recognizes organizations committed to improving blood pressure control.
“Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to significant health risks. To further advance our mission to provide our patients with the highest quality cardiovascular care, CIS implemented new blood pressure screening and monitoring systems, and because of these improvements, 83 percent of our patients now have their blood pressure controlled. CIS is honored to be recognized by the AHA and AMA for this achievement,” said David Konur, CIS CEO.
There are 116 million U.S. adults living with high blood pressure, the nation’s number one risk factor for heart attack and stroke, and less than half have it controlled to the target level. Many patients are unaware of the deadly consequences associated with high blood pressure and that it can be managed by working in partnership with their physician to create and follow a treatment plan.
“Although we have the tools to treat high blood pressure, many patients face a variety of barriers that make it difficult to successfully manage the condition. That’s why the American Heart Association and American Medical Association created the Target: BP initiative—to bring patients and providers together to successfully get blood pressure under control,” said AMA President Patrice A. Harris, M.D., M.A. “We applaud the physicians who are already working hard to control their patients’ blood pressure, and we will continue to urge more physician practices, health systems, and patients to join this effort to prioritize the rising risk of high blood pressure and improve health outcomes for patients across the nation.”
“Collaboration is key to managing high blood pressure,” said AHA President Robert Harrington, MD, FAHA. “When doctors, clinics, patients, and organizations like the American Heart Association and American Medical Association are all working towards the same goal, we have the opportunity for great success. We are pleased to be a part of the success of so many practices – and so many patients – in reducing high blood pressure and improving health.”