October 13, 2025
Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS) has received two gold awards from the American Heart Association for its commitment to reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke through cholesterol and blood pressure management.
For the seventh year in a row, as part of the Target: BP™ initiative, CIS has earned Gold Plus recognition for the accuracy of blood pressure management, with controlled blood pressure in more than 85% of hypertensive adult patients in Louisiana and 86% in Mississippi – surpassing the target of 70%. High blood pressure is the nation’s number one risk factor for heart attack and stroke, but out of 116 million U.S. adults living with high blood pressure, less than half have it controlled to target level. CIS is one of only five facilities in Louisiana and one of only four in Mississippi to receive this designation.
“Excellent blood pressure control is not just about the numbers,” said Dr. Owen Mogabgab, Interventional Cardiologist at CIS in Thibodaux and Harvey, Louisiana. “It’s about protecting the heart, brain, and kidneys over a lifetime. Numerous studies show that good control lowers the risk of heart attack, stroke, and even death. It’s one of the most powerful steps you can take to stay healthy and out of the hospital.”
In addition, for the fourth year in a row, CIS received the Check. Change. Control. Cholesterol™ Gold Award. This recognition honors CIS for improving quality care through the awareness, detection, and management of high cholesterol by empowering patients with evidence-based strategies and tools. Our data demonstrated exceptional success in ensuring that at-risk patients receive appropriate cholesterol-lowering treatment. High cholesterol is one of the major controllable risk factors for coronary heart disease, heart attack, and stroke, yet only half of the 94 million adults with elevated cholesterol are appropriately managing their condition.
“High blood pressure and high cholesterol can quietly damage the heart for years — but with early detection, education, and proactive care, we can prevent serious outcomes,” said Dr. Vinod Nair, Interventional Cardiologist at CIS in Houma, Louisiana. “This recognition from the American Heart Association reaffirms our commitment to helping patients take charge of their health and live longer, healthier lives.”
“Achieving top national accolades for so many consecutive years in several categories – including preventative care through blood pressure and cholesterol control, as well as treatment for heart attacks, one of our nation’s leading causes of death – demonstrates that CIS is dedicated to the full spectrum of patient care,” said Dr. Jennifer Rodriguez, Interventional Cardiologist at CIS in Meridian, Mississippi. “I am proud of our entire healthcare team, who work diligently every day to systematically uphold these standards. Their efforts are a testament to our commitment to holding ourselves accountable for delivering excellent care to every patient we serve. There is no greater reward than helping our patients live longer, healthier lives.”
Learn more about the importance of managing blood pressure or cholesterol.
Request an appointment today with a CIS cardiologist.