Target: BP initiative to help physicians, care teams and patients achieve better blood pressure control in accordance with current AHA guidelines
In New Haven County, 26% of adults live with high blood pressure and in underserved communities that number climbs to 29.42%. That is why the American Heart Association (AHA) is working with the Heart and Vascular Center at Yale New Haven Health to host a blood pressure symposium aimed at practitioners and health service organizations to improve blood pressure control in the New Haven area communities.
The symposium, The Importance of Blood Pressure Management in the Greater New Haven Community, will be held Wednesday, March 31 from 5-6:30pm and focuses on the American Heart Association’s Target: BP initiative.
Target: BP is a nationwide initiative aimed at controlling high blood pressure and reducing the growing number of Americans who have heart attacks and stroke. Building on the blood pressure control efforts initiated by Million Hearts, Target: BP is co-led by the American Heart Association and the American Medical Association to help physicians, care teams and patients achieve better blood pressure control in accordance with current AHA guidelines.
As a digital experience, the event will feature key speakers and physicians from Yale New Haven Health and the American Medical Association. Speakers will include Dr. Michael Rakotz, Vice President of Health Outcomes, American Medical Association; Keith Churchwell, MD, president of Yale New Haven Hospital, and an American Heart Association national board member; Eric Velazquez, MD, physician-in-chief of the Heart and Vascular Center at Yale New Haven Health, Robert W. Berliner professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine, and Chief of Cardiovascular Medicine at Yale University; cardiologist Erica Spatz, MD, director, preventive cardiovascular health program, Heart and Vascular Center at Yale New Haven Hospital, and associate professor, Yale School of Medicine; cardiologist Oyere Onuma, MD, associate director, preventive cardiovascular health program, Heart and Vascular Center at Yale New Haven Hospital, and assistant professor, Yale School of Medicine; and Francine LoRusso, senior vice president, Operations & executive director for Heart and Vascular Services, Transplantation Center and Medicine Services & Radiology Services, Yale New Haven Health.
“Nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure, yet many don’t even know that they have it. Having hypertension, better known as high blood pressure, puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke which are leading causes of death in the United States,” said Dr. Velazquez. “Hypertension is known as the ‘silent killer’ because it often has no obvious symptoms. The best way to protect yourself is by being aware of the risks and making changes that matter. This symposium will provide tools to help our communities achieve better heart health.”
The Target: BP program empowers hospitals, medical practices, practitioners, and health services organizations to set a goal of lowering blood pressure to less than 140/90 mm Hg for each patient, which, would improve health outcomes. The program offers tools, assets, and on-the-ground specialist support for healthcare providers.
“Thanks to our generous sponsor Yale New Haven Health, we are able to provide an educational and powerful digital conversation about the importance of blood pressure management in the greater New Haven area,” said Alissa Memoli, American Heart Association regional vice president of development. “Our hope is to use this webinar as an educational opportunity as well as provide some practical ways that individuals, clinics, and community organizations can work to address high blood pressure.”
To register for the Target: BP Symposium, contact Todd Boe, 203.295.2941 or [email protected]. For information about blood pressure management, go to heart.org/bloodpressure.