NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst Earns National Recognition for Commitment to Improve High Blood Pressure
Hospital Receives Accolades from Health Organizations for Commitment to Prioritize Blood Pressure Control within the Communities It Serves
Dec 07, 2018
NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst has been recognized by the American Heart Association and American Medical Association as a leader in the national effort to get people’s blood pressure under control and reduce the number of Americans who have heart attacks and strokes each year, it was announced today.
The two organizations named NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst as one of 802 physician practices and health systems nationwide recognized for a commitment to help patients improve blood pressure control through this year’s “Target: BP™” recognition awards.
Launched in 2015, Target: BP™ is a national initiative of the American Heart Association and American Medical Association aimed at addressing the growing burden of high blood pressure in the United States.
More than 1,600 physician practices and health systems nationwide have joined Target: BP™, sharing a common goal to reduce the number of adult patients with uncontrolled blood pressure and improve health outcomes associated with heart disease.
“We are enormously proud of our successes in helping our patients control their blood pressure and avoid strokes, heart disease, and their complications,” said Israel Rocha, chief executive officer of NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst. “Our physicians have long worked closely with our patients to help them make lifestyle adjustments that include a focus on exercise and healthy eating, and we are pleased that our efforts are having a real impact. We are honored by this recognition and look forward to continuing to empower our patients to make choices that will lead to good outcomes.”
Of the 103 million Americans with high blood pressure, less than half have it controlled to a healthy level. This is despite the fact that high blood pressure can often be managed effectively when patients work with their physician to create and follow a treatment plan. No single risk factor has more impact on the nation’s death rates from cardiovascular disease than high blood pressure.
“I am ecstatic that NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst has been nationally recognized as a leader in helping patients manage their blood pressure,” said Assemblymember Michael DenDekker. “Preventive care is crucial for averting serious health issues, and it is an imperative that our communities receive the tools necessary for healthy blood pressure control.”
“Congratulations to Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst on receiving these well-deserved accolades,” said NYC Council Member Daniel Dromm. “Each year, thousands of lives are saved thanks to the excellent high blood pressure treatment and other types of care patients receive from the hospital’s dedicated medical staff. Throughout my tenure as a council member, I have fought for and allocated millions of dollars to expand services at Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst. I remain committed to securing additional funding so that the facility remains on the forefront of quality care in Queens.”
“More than one in four New Yorkers have high blood pressure, a key risk factor for heart disease and stroke,” said Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot. “We’re working to drive down those numbers with our Take the Pressure Off, NYC! initiative, and I congratulate NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst on their impressive achievement in preventing and controlling high blood pressure.”
“Although we have the tools to easily treat high blood pressure, many patients face a variety of barriers making it difficult to successfully manage the condition,” said Barbara L. McAneny, MD, president of the American Medical Association. “We applaud the physicians who are already working hard to control their patients’ blood pressure, and we will continue to urge more physician practices, health systems, and patients to join this effort to prioritize blood pressure control and increase the national blood pressure control rate. Together, we will be able to save many more lives and improve health outcomes for patients throughout the nation.”
“A driving force behind Target: BP’s goal of improving cardiovascular health is the physician and patient partnership,” said Ivor Benjamin, MD, FAHA, president of the American Heart Association. “We are pleased to see more and more practices prioritize blood pressure control and collaborate with their patients to achieve the program’s goal of reducing heart disease and strokes in their communities.”
NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, along with all other practices and health systems being recognized, will be featured in upcoming Target: BP materials. This includes appearing in national journal ads, on TargetBP.org, and the Target: BP Wall of Recognition that will be displayed at American Heart Association and American Medical Association events throughout the year. For more information on programs and services at the hospital, please call 718-334-4000 or visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org/Elmhurst.