Latest news with #MidAmericaHeartInstitute
Associated Press
02-05-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Large-scale heart failure initiative boosts use of lifesaving medications
( NewMediaWire ) - May 02, 2025 - DALLAS — About 6.7 million adults in the U.S. are living with heart failure, and that number is expected to increase to more than 8 million by 2030. [1] A new analysis published in Circulation: Heart Failure shows hospitals participating in the American Heart Association's multiregional IMPLEMENT-HF(TM) initiative significantly improved adherence to guideline-directed medical therapy for patients hospitalized with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), the most common type of heart failure. The American Heart Association, a global force changing the future of health for all, launched the three-year quality improvement initiative in 2021. The goal: improve uptake of quadruple medical therapy and integrate health-related social needs assessments into routine care. Quadruple medical therapy is a combination of four evidence-based drugs proven to reduce mortality: angiotensin receptor–neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), evidence-based specific β-blocker (BB), mineralocorticoid antagonist (MRA) and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i). The effort involved more than 100 hospitals across the U.S. and built on the Association's Get With The Guidelines(R) - Heart Failure program. The study included data from more than 43,000 patients at 67 hospitals and found: 'This initiative represents an important leap forward in closing the treatment gap in heart failure,' said Andrew Sauer, M.D., American Heart Association volunteer, a lead author of the research and a cardiologist at Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute in Kansas City. 'By supporting collaborative learning and leveraging real-time data, IMPLEMENT-HF enabled hospitals to better serve patients in varied communities.' HFrEF affects nearly half of people hospitalized for heart failure and carries a 75% five-year mortality rate. Although clinical trials have shown that quadruple therapy can significantly improve survival, use of this treatment has remained low nationwide, particularly among underrepresented populations. By creating a structured, 'all-teach, all-learn' environment, the Association's initiative offered participants tools for identifying care gaps, sharing best practices and monitoring performance at both hospital and regional levels. 'The improvements we've seen through IMPLEMENT-HF underscore the power of collaboration,' said Mariell Jessup, M.D., chief science and medical officer of the American Heart Association. 'The Association is committed to transforming systems of care to ensure every person has access to the highest standard of heart failure treatment, no matter where they live.' Additional Resources: ### Statements and conclusions of studies published in the American Heart Association's scientific journals are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association's policy or position. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. The Association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific Association programs and events. The Association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and biotech companies, device manufacturers and health insurance providers and the Association's overall financial information are available here. About the American Heart Association The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public's health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1. For Media Inquiries: 214-706-1173 Michelle Rosenfeld: [email protected] For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721) and [1] Martin S, et al. 2025 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: A Report of US and Global Data From the American Heart Association. Chapter 22. Circulation. 2025;151(8):e41–e660.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
You're about to hear more about America's top killer: How to reduce your risk
For more than a century, heart disease has been the leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But more than half of Americans don't know this, polling shows. Government agencies and other health groups hope to draw attention to the deadly problem in February, which is American Heart Month. More than 700,000 Americans died from heart disease in 2022, or about a fifth of all deaths. 'Heart disease is just endemic,' Dr. James O'Keefe, director of preventive cardiology at the Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute in Kansas City, told USA TODAY. 'Most Americans, sooner or later, come down with it.' While death rates have declined considerably since 1950, recent trends show increases in cardiovascular disease deaths. That's attributed in part to increased prevalence in risk factors such as high blood pressure and obesity, the American Heart Association said. People of color, particularly Black Americans, are at higher risk of developing heart disease. There are steps you can take to help lower your risk of heart disease, but it can be expensive and require time, which is a luxury for many Americans. Here are five tips. The standard American diet, or SAD, is often addictive, high in calories and low in fiber and nutrients, said O'Keefe, who publishes 'From the Heart,' a health newsletter. The SAD diet creates a disastrous recipe for disease and premature death. O'Keefe recommends staying away from processed or ultra-processed foods. Think of those that are difficult to pronounce on the back of a sugary cereal box, for example. Instead, he recommends eating as many single-ingredient foods as you can, such as apples, nuts, berries and fish. (However, access to healthy foods in the U.S. can be costly.) Omega 3s − healthy fatty acids commonly found in fish or chia seeds − help lower triglycerides, a type of fat, in our blood, the Cleveland Clinic said. Triglycerides in high amounts raise our risk of heart disease and stroke, according to the National Institutes of Health. The Mayo Clinic recommends 30 to 60 minutes of activity daily. Often, it can be hard to find the time between work and child care. But even walking the dog or gardening helps. Increasing the intensity, length and frequency of workouts yields more benefits. People should shoot for at least 8,000 steps a day, but the adage of 10,000 or more is better, O'Keefe said. Strength training a couple times a week is also good. O'Keefe recommends regular physical, interactive play with others. Social connections with exercise increase life longevity as opposed to exercise alone, he said, citing his research on the benefits of tennis. Whether it's pickup basketball or the craze of pickleball, these help emotion and physical well-being. Americans work, a lot. We also have a lot of debt. These can cause stress, which feeds into high blood pressure and unhealthy eating, drinking and smoking habits. Finding healthy ways to manage stress can lower risk of heart disease. This can include stepping outside or practicing routines such as prayer, mindfulness or meditation. And don't forget to get a good night's rest, around seven hours for adults. People who don't get enough sleep are at higher risk for obesity, high blood pressure, heart attack, diabetes and depression, O'Keefe said. Americans have drastically stopped smoking. Just over 11% of Americans smoke cigarettes, down from over 40% of U.S. adults in the mid-1960s, when the surgeon general issued an advisory about the dangers of smoking. For people who still consume tobacco, chemicals from tobacco damage their heart and blood vessels, according to the Mayo Clinic. In particular, smokers get lower oxygen in their blood, which raises their blood pressure and heart rate. That means the heart works harder to supply enough oxygen to the body and brain. You have to know what you're looking for in order for you to treat risks. That's where a regular doctor's visit comes in. Getting your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels checked can help you and your doctor get medications or adjust diet, exercise or other routines. Additionally, obesity and preclinical obesity, which afflicts nearly three-quarters of adults, are risk factors for heart disease. Health providers use body mass index, a combination of height and weight, to help determine if someone is obese or nearing it, though it has caveats in accurately conveying someone's health. Increased access to weight loss and diabetes drugs also can help Americans reduce weight and cravings, O'Keefe said. That, in turn, can help people make healthier choices about food, sleep and exercise. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: American Heart Month is February: 5 ways to reduce your risk
USA Today
26-01-2025
- Health
- USA Today
You're about to hear more about America's top killer: How to reduce your risk
You're about to hear more about America's top killer: How to reduce your risk Show Caption Hide Caption Expert reveals the fruits, rice and meats that can lower blood pressure Hypertension can increase the risk of heart disease. Nutrition therapist Lauren Kelly has dietary suggestions that can help lower blood pressure. For more than a century, heart disease has been the leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But over half of Americans don't know this, polling shows. Government agencies and other health groups hope to draw attention to the deadly problem in February, which is American Heart Month. Over 700,000 Americans died from heart disease in 2022, or about a fifth of all deaths. 'Heart disease is just endemic,' Dr. James O'Keefe, director of preventive cardiology at the Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute, in Kansas City, told USA TODAY. 'Most Americans, sooner or later, come down with it.' While death rates have declined considerably since 1950, recent trends show increases in cardiovascular disease deaths. That's attributed in part to increased prevalence in risk factors such as high blood pressure and obesity, the American Heart Association said. People of color, particularly Black Americans, are at higher risk of developing heart disease. There are steps you can take to help lower your risk of heart disease, but it can be expensive and require time, which is a luxury for many Americans. Here are five tips. Eat less processed foods The standard American diet, or SAD, is often addictive, high in calories and low in fiber and nutrients, said O'Keefe, who publishes 'From the Heart,' a health newsletter. The SAD diet creates a disastrous recipe for disease and premature death. O'Keefe recommends staying away from processed or ultra-processed foods. Think of those that are difficult to pronounce on the back of a sugary cereal box, for example. Instead, he recommends eating as many single ingredient foods as you can, such as apples, nuts, berries or fish. (However, access to healthy foods in the U.S. can be costly.) Omega 3s — healthy fatty acids commonly found in fish or chia seeds — help lower triglycerides, a type of fat, in our blood, the Cleveland Clinic said. Triglycerides in high amounts raise our risk of heart disease and stroke, according to the National Institutes of Health. Exercise, preferably with others The Mayo Clinic recommends 30 to 60 minutes of activity daily. Often, it can be hard to find the time between work and child care. But even walking the dog or gardening helps. Increasing the intensity, length and frequency of workouts yields more benefits. People should shoot for at least 8,000 steps a day, but the adage of 10,000 or more is better, O'Keefe said. Strength training a couple times a week is also good. O'Keefe recommends regular physical, interactive play with others. Social connections with exercise increase life longevity as opposed to exercise alone, he said, citing his research on the benefits of tennis. Whether it's pick-up basketball or the craze of pickle ball, these help emotion and physical well-being. Manage stress, get enough rest Americans work, a lot. We also have a lot of debt. These can cause stress, which feeds into high blood pressure and unhealthy eating, drinking and smoking habits. Finding healthy ways to manage stress can lower risk of heart disease. This can include stepping outside or practicing routines such as prayer, mindfulness or meditation. And don't forget to get a good night's rest, around seven hours for adults. People who don't get enough sleep are at higher risk for obesity, high blood pressure, heart attack, diabetes and depression, O'Keefe said. Stop smoking Americans have drastically stopped smoking. Just over 11% of Americans smoke cigarettes, down from over 40% of U.S. adults in the mid-1960s, when the surgeon general issued an advisory about the dangers of smoking. For people who still consume tobacco, chemicals from tobacco damage their heart and blood vessels, according to the Mayo Clinic. In particular, smokers get lower oxygen in their blood, raising their blood pressure and heart rate. This means the heart works harder to supply enough oxygen to their body and brain. Go to the doctor, not just in an emergency You have to know what you're looking for in order for you to treat risks. That's where a regular doctor's visit comes in. Getting your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels checked can help you and your doctor get medications or adjust diet, exercise or other routines. Additionally, obesity and preclinical obesity, affecting nearly three-quarters of adults, are risk factors to developing heart disease. Health providers use body mass index, a combination of height and weight, to help determine if someone is obese or nearing it, though it has caveats in accurately conveying someone's health. Increased access to weight-loss and diabetes drugs can also help Americans reduce weight and cravings, O'Keefe said. This, in turn, can help people make healthier choices about food, sleep and exercise.
Yahoo
26-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
You're about to hear more about America's top killer: How to reduce your risk
For more than a century, heart disease has been the leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But over half of Americans don't know this, polling shows. Government agencies and other health groups hope to draw attention to the deadly problem in February, which is American Heart Month. Over 700,000 Americans died from heart disease in 2022, or about a fifth of all deaths. 'Heart disease is just endemic,' Dr. James O'Keefe, director of preventive cardiology at the Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute, in Kansas City, told USA TODAY. 'Most Americans, sooner or later, come down with it.' While death rates have declined considerably since 1950, recent trends show increases in cardiovascular disease deaths. That's attributed in part to increased prevalence in risk factors such as high blood pressure and obesity, the American Heart Association said. People of color, particularly Black Americans, are at higher risk of developing heart disease. There are steps you can take to help lower your risk of heart disease, but it can be expensive and require time, which is a luxury for many Americans. Here are five tips. The standard American diet, or SAD, is often addictive, high in calories and low in fiber and nutrients, said O'Keefe, who publishes 'From the Heart,' a health newsletter. The SAD diet creates a disastrous recipe for disease and premature death. O'Keefe recommends staying away from processed or ultra-processed foods. Think of those that are difficult to pronounce on the back of a sugary cereal box, for example. Instead, he recommends eating as many single ingredient foods as you can, such as apples, nuts, berries or fish. (However, access to healthy foods in the U.S. can be costly.) Omega 3s — healthy fatty acids commonly found in fish or chia seeds — help lower triglycerides, a type of fat, in our blood, the Cleveland Clinic said. Triglycerides in high amounts raise our risk of heart disease and stroke, according to the National Institutes of Health. The Mayo Clinic recommends 30 to 60 minutes of activity daily. Often, it can be hard to find the time between work and child care. But even walking the dog or gardening helps. Increasing the intensity, length and frequency of workouts yields more benefits. People should shoot for at least 8,000 steps a day, but the adage of 10,000 or more is better, O'Keefe said. Strength training a couple times a week is also good. O'Keefe recommends regular physical, interactive play with others. Social connections with exercise increase life longevity as opposed to exercise alone, he said, citing his research on the benefits of tennis. Whether it's pick-up basketball or the craze of pickle ball, these help emotion and physical well-being. Americans work, a lot. We also have a lot of debt. These can cause stress, which feeds into high blood pressure and unhealthy eating, drinking and smoking habits. Finding healthy ways to manage stress can lower risk of heart disease. This can include stepping outside or practicing routines such as prayer, mindfulness or meditation. And don't forget to get a good night's rest, around seven hours for adults. People who don't get enough sleep are at higher risk for obesity, high blood pressure, heart attack, diabetes and depression, O'Keefe said. Americans have drastically stopped smoking. Just over 11% of Americans smoke cigarettes, down from over 40% of U.S. adults in the mid-1960s, when the surgeon general issued an advisory about the dangers of smoking. For people who still consume tobacco, chemicals from tobacco damage their heart and blood vessels, according to the Mayo Clinic. In particular, smokers get lower oxygen in their blood, raising their blood pressure and heart rate. This means the heart works harder to supply enough oxygen to their body and brain. You have to know what you're looking for in order for you to treat risks. That's where a regular doctor's visit comes in. Getting your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels checked can help you and your doctor get medications or adjust diet, exercise or other routines. Additionally, obesity and preclinical obesity, affecting nearly three-quarters of adults, are risk factors to developing heart disease. Health providers use body mass index, a combination of height and weight, to help determine if someone is obese or nearing it, though it has caveats in accurately conveying someone's health. Increased access to weight-loss and diabetes drugs can also help Americans reduce weight and cravings, O'Keefe said. This, in turn, can help people make healthier choices about food, sleep and exercise. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: American Heart Month is February: 5 ways to reduce your risk
