Million Hearts Delaware kicks off statewide effort to prevent heart attacks, strokes
Bernadette E. Baker, RN, registered nurse with the Christiana Care Center for Heart and Vascular Health’s prevention team, offered free blood pressure screenings and provided tips on ways to prevent heart disease during the kick-off event for Million Hearts® Delaware, Thursday, Sept. 5, at the ShopRite of Governor’s Square in Bear.
Million Hearts Delaware is a public-private statewide effort to advance the goal of the national initiative to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017. Million Hearts Delaware aligns the efforts of hospitals, government, major employers and health care providers to combat cardiovascular disease with two specific aims: public awareness and clinical prevention.
“Our partners throughout the state are spreading the important news that heart disease is not just a deadly disease but a preventable disease,” said Ed Goldenberg, M.D., chief of preventive medicine for Christiana Care and the founder of Million Hearts Delaware. “We are empowering Delawareans to take preventive steps to improve their heart health so they can gain more years with their loved ones, their children, their parents and their families.”
The blood pressure screenings align with one of the key goals of Million Hearts Delaware, which is to improve care for Delawareans who need treatment by encouraging a focus on the “ABCS.”
The acronym stands for:
- Aspirin therapy for people at risk.
- Blood pressure control.
- Cholesterol management.
- Smoking cessation.
High blood pressure, high cholesterol and tobacco use are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
An ideal reading for blood pressure generally is less than 120/80.
Million Hearts Delaware is supported by a grant funded in part by Christiana Care.
Photo gallery: Million Hearts Delaware Kickoff
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