CARDIAC POPULATION HEALTH
Recent statistics from the North Dakota Department of Health indicate heart disease is the leading cause of death in North Dakota (24 percent of all deaths) while stroke (cerebrovascular disease) was the sixth leading cause of death (5.4 percent of all deaths).
North Dakotans ages 65 and older are more likely to die from heart disease and stroke than any other age group. In fact, 90 percent of stroke deaths and 84 percent of heart disease deaths in 2009 were people 65 and older. Fifty-eight percent of North Dakotans with a history of stroke are 65 and older (2009) with stroke being the leading admission cause for long-term health care.
As the QIO for North Dakota, NDHCRI is a partner in the "Million Hearts" campaign, a joint initiative of CMS, the American Heart Association, and other national health care stakeholders that aims to improve America's heart health. "Million Hearts" seeks to reduce cardiac risk factors that include hypertension, smoking and high cholesterol and increase heart-healthy behaviors, such as aspirin for those who need it.
NDHCRI is convening a Cardiac Health Learning and Action Network (LAN) for physician offices. The primary focus of this LAN will be to assist physician offices in implementing clinical strategies that will reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. The LAN will address the aims of the "Million Hearts" campaign listed above, also known as the "ABCS."
For more information, please contact Connie Geyer, RN, BSN, Quality Improvement Specialist, at NDHCRI.
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