NYC Health + Hospitals announced all 11 of its hospitals and 7 of its Gotham Health sites were recognized by the American Heart Association and the American Medical Association for their work in managing hypertension, or high blood pressure, a leading cause of heart attack and stroke. Nearly half of all adults in the U.S. have some form of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack, stroke or heart failure. Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a leading risk factors for cardiovascular disease, but with timely diagnosis, research-based treatment and education, this condition can be managed.
“1 in 4 New Yorkers has high blood pressure, a leading cause of heart attack and stroke,” said Machelle Allen, MD, Chief Medical Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals. “Patients are often surprised to learn they have high blood pressure because they don’t feel sick. That’s why it’s so important that our hospitals and primary care sites are committed to helping patients manage their high blood pressure. I thank the American Heart Association and the American Medical Association for bringing attention to this critical issue.”
“This recognition from the AHA and AMA is a testament to the hard work that our staff do each day to support patients with hypertension,” said Nichola Davis, MD, MS, Vice President and Chief Population Health Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals.
“NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health is committed to sharply reducing the number of heart attacks and strokes for our fellow New Yorkers each year,” said Michelle Lewis, NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health’s Chief Executive Officer.
“Addressing blood pressure management is key for better cardiovascular health – and critical today, when heart disease and stroke continue to be leading causes of death for Americans,” said Howard Haft, M.D., MMM, CPE, FACPE, volunteer science expert for the American Heart Association and executive director of the Maryland Primary Care Program, in Baltimore.
The American Heart Association and American Medical Association confer Target BP Gold+ status to practices that meet the Gold status criteria and complete 4 of 6 evidence-based BP activities; Gold status to practices that have 70 percent or more of their adult patient population with high blood pressure controlled; Silver status to practices that submit data and complete 4 of 6 evidence-based BP activities; and Participant status to practices that submit data for the first-time and commit to reducing the number of adult patients with uncontrolled blood pressure.
