NLA Recognizes Million Hearts®

During February—which is American Heart Month—the National Lipid Association (NLA) would like to recognize the important work underway by Million Hearts. This national initiative was launched by the Department of Health and Human Services in 2012, with the exciting goal of preventing 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017. Now, several years into the effort, Million Hearts is proud to claim 110 partners (across public and private sectors), all committed to spreading the word to patients and healthcare providers nationwide about the simple steps people can take to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States; it’s a tragedy that impacts men and women of all ages, races and ethnicities. In fact, the prevalence of serious cardiovascular events means that many people simply accept them as unavoidable. Million Hearts is striving to spread the message that, in fact, most heart attacks and strokes are preventable.

“Small changes sustained over time can have a major impact on a person’s heart health. This is true even for people who have been affected by a heart attack or stroke previously; they can dramatically reduce their risk for a follow-up event if they implement lifestyle modifications and work closely with their healthcare professional,” said Janet Wright, MD and Executive Director of Million Hearts. “The cornerstone of Million Hearts is spreading the word that heart attacks and strokes are not inevitable and not a normal part of aging.”

The NLA is proud to partner with Million Hearts. As an organization committed to improving patient care and lipid management, the NLA recognizes the tools and resources Million Hearts is disseminating across the country to help enhance heart health. One resource available on the Million Hearts website is the Healthy Eating and Lifestyle Resource Center, where healthcare providers can direct patients to find heart-healthy recipes, easy meal plans and inspiring articles – and this website strives to make eating healthy more manageable for patients.

The NLA is excited to welcome Dr. Wright as the keynote speaker at the next Clinical Lipid Update (CLU) in Denver, Col on February 27. Her talk, titled “Detect. Connect. Control. Preventing a Million Together.” will explore how Million Hearts and the NLA can work together to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017.

“The initiative has an audacious but achievable goal. Getting to a million will require achieving excellence in the ABC’s: aspirin for those at risk; blood pressure control, optimal cholesterol management; and smoking cessation. On  the public health side of the Million Hearts action plan, we are focused on  reducing exposure to secondhand smoke and  sodium intake and eliminating artificial trans-fats from the food supply,” continued Dr. Wright.

To help Million Hearts achieve its program goals by 2017, here are actionable steps for patients to reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke:

• Know your numbers, and engage in goal-setting conversations with your healthcare provider to establish blood pressure and cholesterol goals
• Determine if you would benefit from daily aspirin therapy
• Be frank with your healthcare provider about your diet and exercise routines, and figure out ways to make healthier choices
• Quit or don’t start smoking

For more information about Million Hearts, please visit the website. Throughout February, be sure to check out the fun and engaging social media activities underway by the organization (on Facebook and Twitter), including Twitter chats and an “online flash mob” on Feb. 27^th!