Kettering Nationally Recognized for Blood Pressure Efforts

The American Heart Association (AHA) and American Medical Association (AMA) presented Target: BP Awards to all 54 Kettering Physician Network Primary Care clinic locations for their commitment to accurate blood pressure (BP) measurement and improving BP control rates for patients.

The AHA and AMA recognized Kettering Health for its commitment to improving BP control rates, earning recognition as part of the Target: BP initiative. Target: BP helps health-care organizations and care teams, at no cost, to improve uncontrolled BP rates through an evidence-based quality improvement program, and it recognizes organizations committed to improving BP control. These achievements will ultimately lead to a reduction in the number of Americans who suffer heart attacks and strokes.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a leading risk factor for heart attacks, strokes, and preventable death in the U.S. Right now, nearly half of all adults in the U.S. are living with hypertension (121.5 million U.S. adults).

Unfortunately, less than half of them have their BP under control, making both diagnosis and effective management critical. In the U.S., heart disease and stroke are the number-one and number-five causes of death respectively, and stroke is a leading cause of disability.

“Kettering Physician Network’s Primary Care team is pleased to receive this recognition, as it highlights our ongoing commitment to delivering the highest quality of care. With more than 60 practices and nearly 300 primary care providers throughout our expansive Greater Dayton service area, we are proud to serve the community,” Ward Blair, medical director for Kettering Physician Network Primary Care Service Line, said.

Target: BP is a national collaboration between the AHA and AMA aimed at reducing the number of adults in the U.S. who suffer from heart attacks and strokes each year by urging physician practices, health systems, and patients to prioritize BP control. The initiative aims to help health-care organizations improve blood pressure control rates using evidence-based protocols and recognizes Kettering Health’s commitment to improving hypertension control.

“By committing to helping more people in the Miami Valley control their blood pressure and reduce their risks for future heart disease and stroke, Kettering Health is taking a key step to helping more people live longer, healthier lives,” Audrey Starr, executive director of the AHA in Dayton, Ohio, said. “Kettering Health’s participation in the Target: BP initiative shows its dedication to turning clinical guidelines into lifelines for patients and their families.”

The original version of this story was posted on the Kettering Health news site.