Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) has earned national recognition from the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Medical Association (AMA) for helping patients get their blood pressure under control, and thereby reducing the number of Americans who have heart attacks and strokes each year. By participating in the AHA’s Target BP Recognition Program, these awards celebrate the achievements of both the Medical Center and Family Health Centers in educating and helping the patients they serve. An official presentation will take place at 8 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 16, during ARMC’s Stroke Summit taking place at ARMC.
The AHA Target: BP™ Participant Award has been presented to ARMC’s Stroke Program and also to the Fontana Family Health Center. This award recognizes practices to reduce the number of adult patients with uncontrolled blood pressure. The Target BP Gold Award has been presented to the Westside Family Health Center, recognizing practices that have 70 percent or more of their adult patient population with high blood pressure controlled.
In addition, the Check. Change. Control. Cholesterol Gold Award has also been presented to ARMC’s Stroke Program recognizing a commitment to improving Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVC) and having 70 percent or more of their adult, at-risk ASCVD patient population appropriately managed with Statin therapy.
High cholesterol is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke, and the No. 1 and No. 5 killers in the U.S., while nearly half of all U.S. adults have high blood pressure. In recent years high blood pressure has tripled among men under 45 and doubled among women in the same age group, according to the AHA. It is important to check blood pressure regularly since many people with high blood pressure don’t even know they have it. High blood pressure is often symptomless and can be a “silent killer,” leading to an increased risk for heart attack, stroke, kidney disease and other health problems.
“We are proud to receive these awards, recognizing our dedicated health care professionals who monitor, educate and inspire patients every day to help them minimize their risk of heart disease and stroke, and to live healthier lifestyles,” stated Dan Miulli, D.O., ARMC’s Stroke Program Medical Director.
Launched in 2015, 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 AHA’s Target BP Recognition Program recognizes physician practices and health systems from across the country for their commitment to reducing the number of Americans who have heart attacks and strokes each year, by taking an active role in treating their patients’ hypertension to achieve blood pressure control.