Hospitals in pursuit of excellence

Million Hearts National Initiative

Million Hearts is a national initiative to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017. It brings together communities, health systems, nonprofit organizations, federal agencies and private-sector partners from across the country to fight heart disease and stroke.

Million Hearts will achieve its goal by emphasizing cardiovascular health across patients, providers, communities, and other stakeholders. Million Hearts will bring together a number of programs, policies, and campaigns designed to make a positive impact across the spectrum of prevention and care, promoting the "ABCS" of clinical prevention (appropriate aspirin therapy, blood pressure control, cholesterol management, and smoking cessation) as well as healthier lifestyles and communities.

Some of Million Hearts' wide-ranging activities may include:

• Educational campaigns to increase awareness about heart disease prevention and empower patients to take control of their heart health
• Use of health information technology and quality improvement initiatives to standardize and improve the delivery of care for high blood pressure and high cholesterol
• Community efforts to promote smoke-free air policies and reduce sodium in the food supply.