Heart Disease & Stroke Prevention - Program Home
Since 2018, IDPH has received a CDC grant which funds IDPH efforts in Health Systems Interventions for cardiovascular disease prevention and management. The Health Systems Interventions are targeted at increasing control in patients with high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
This webpage will provide Iowans, healthcare providers and others with information and resources regarding the control and/or management of the risk factors related to heart disease and stroke.
IDPH Goals and Objectives Related to Heart Disease and Stroke
Goals:
To reduce Iowa's heart disease and stroke mortality and morbidity:
- Raise awareness, increase screening, and prevent and control high blood pressure
- Raise awareness, increase screening, and prevent and control high blood cholesterol
- Improve the quality of cardiovascular care
- Improve emergency response for those having heart attack and stroke
- Increase awareness of the signs and symptoms of heart attack and stroke and the importance of calling 9-1-1
Objectives:
To work with Iowa's clinical health systems to:
- Promote the reporting of blood pressure and A1c measures
- Promote awareness of high blood pressure among patients
- Increase implementation of quality improvement processes in clinical health systems
- Increase the adoption of electronic health records (EHR) to monitor population health
- Increase the use of multidisciplinary team-based care in clinical health systems
- Increase the use of self-measured blood pressure monitoring tied with clinical support
Million Hearts Priorities
High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and smoking continue to place people at risk for heart disease and stroke. To address these risk factors, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other federal agencies have implemented a Million Hearts initiative focusing on the ABCS of Cardiovascular Disease Prevention:
- Aspirin: Increase low dose aspirin therapy according to recognized prevention guidelines
- Blood Pressure: Prevent and control high blood pressure; reduce sodium intake
- Cholesterol: Prevent and control high blood cholesterol
- Smoking: Increase the number of smokers counseled to quit and referred to quit lines; increase availability of no or low-cost cessation products
CDC also encourages its state grantees to promote policy and systems changes in health care delivery, worksite wellness programs, and other community settings that will work to:
- Increase the number of Iowans who know the signs and symptoms of heart attack and stroke and the importance of calling 9-1-1
- Improve Emergency Response in Iowa
- Improve the quality of cardiovascular care in Iowa
- Eliminate Disparities--ensuring that all Iowans have access to early, affordable and appropriate cardiovascular treatment which is essential to reducing disability and costs
Quick Links: