WASHINGTON, Sept. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) announced it has joined the newly launched Million Hearts Initiative, a coordinated approach to preventing cardiovascular disease and stroke in the U.S. Co-led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the initiative's goal is to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes, over the next five years, by reducing the number of people who need treatment and improving the quality of treatment for those who need it.
Cardiovascular disease is a major health concern in America, causing 1 of every 3 deaths. With over 2 million heart attacks and strokes each year, cardiovascular disease causes an enormous loss of life and carries a huge financial burden for our country, accounting for about $1 of every $6 spent on health care. Hypertension and hyperlipidemia are primary contributing cardiovascular health risks. These two conditions combined affect more than 80 million Americans annually.
"The Million Hearts Initiative presents an opportunity for pharmacists to reach out to their patients with a range of pharmacy-based cardiovascular maintenance services," stated Thomas Menighan, APhA CEO and Executive Vice President. "The HHS, CDC and CMS have asked APhA pharmacists to be principal partners in this initiative, along with the AMA and the ANA, recognizing the important role we play in patient care. Pharmacists are ideally positioned to help manage blood pressure and cholesterol medication therapy and empower patients to take control of their cardiovascular health by adhering to their medication regimens. I urge pharmacists in every setting to partner with their patients and other healthcare providers to take action on the goals of this initiative."
As the public's most accessible health care provider, pharmacists can play a significant role in the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease. In fact, studies have already demonstrated the value of pharmacists in improving cardiovascular outcomes. In 2009, a trial published in the Archives of Internal Medicine showed that collaboration between physicians and pharmacists resulted in better control of hypertension, the most common cardiovascular disease and a major contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. To learn more about the specific ways pharmacists can assist in the management of cardiovascular disease, please see APhA's Your Pharmacist and You: Preventing Cardiovascular Disease Fact Sheet.
The APhA Foundation has conducted several studies involving pharmacists in cardiovascular health. It has focused its efforts on creating models that optimize the pharmacist's role in closer monitoring, appropriate treatment and education, and the empowerment of patients.