Preventing 1 Million Heart Attacks and Strokes by 2017: The Million Hearts™ Initiative

Heart disease and stroke are, respectively, the first and fourth leading causes of death in the United States. Cardiovascular disease alone is responsible for 1 of every 3 deaths in the U.S. and costs the nation $444 billion per year in health care expenses and lost economic productivity. To reduce this burden, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), CDC, CMS, and a broad range of public and private-sector partners have launched the Million Hearts™ initiative to enhance cardiovascular disease prevention activities with proven, effective, and inexpensive clinical and community interventions.

In the clinical field, Million Hearts™ will improve management of the “ABCS” — Aspirin for high-risk patients, Blood pressure control, Cholesterol management, and Smoking cessation. The initiative will also encourage community-based efforts to reduce smoking, improve nutrition, and reduce blood pressure. Between 1980 and 2000, heart attack deaths in the U.S. were reduced by 50% due to similar clinical and community interventions. By improving upon these efforts, the Million Hearts™ initiative is projected to prevent more than a million heart attacks and strokes by the target date of 2017.

This session of Public Health Grand Rounds examined heart disease and stroke prevention interventions, presented Million Hearts™ activities currently underway in communities such as San Diego and New York City, discussed public and private sector collaboration for this national initiative, and explored efforts to unite existing prevention efforts with innovative programs that will ultimately help Americans live longer, healthier, more productive lives.