AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- One
in three U.S. adults lives with hypertension, according to the
Centers for Disease Control, and only 54 percent of those diagnosed
with the disease have their blood pressure in check.
To combat this alarming trend and in recognition of American
Heart Month, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
is teaming up with Million Hearts®, an initiative co-led
by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to prevent 1
million heart attacks and strokes over the next five years.
In 2017, with the theme of "Heart to Heart," AANP and Million
Hearts® are urging young adults to take four important
steps to improve their families' heart health. These include:
conversations with family members, heart-healthy eating habits, a
daily commitment to physical activity and regular blood pressure
and cholesterol screening with a trusted health care provider.
"Cardiovascular disease takes the lives of more Americans than
cancer, respiratory diseases and accidents combined each year, and
about one in every six health care dollars is spent on treating the
disease," said AANP President Cindy
Cooke, DNP, FNP-C, FAANP. "We want young adults – and
all patients – to make heart health a personal priority and inspire
their families to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease."
"Nurse practitioners are experts in holding important,
'heart-to-heart' conversations with patients and family members,
addressing a variety of topics ranging from the importance of a
healthy diet and physical activity to helping patients adhere to
their heart disease medication regimens," said Janet Wright, MD, Executive Director, Million
Hearts®. "We look forward to continuing to work with
AANP to spread the word about the importance of these conversations
throughout American Heart Month and beyond."
AANP encourages adults to monitor their heart health on a
regular basis in consultation with their nurse practitioner or
other health care provider and to follow a heart-healthy diet that
reduces sodium intake and includes foods that naturally help lower
blood pressure, such as calcium, magnesium and potassium.
Exercise is also an important aspect of maintaining heart health
and reducing blood pressure, and nurse practitioners suggest
patients aim for 30-minutes of moderate activity 5 days a week,
such as walking, jogging, or biking. Maintaining a healthy weight
helps to maintain healthy blood pressure and reduces risk of
diabetes.
For patients already diagnosed with hypertension, medication can
play a critical role in reducing the risk of heart attack and
stroke. Nurse practitioners encourage patients with hypertension to
self-monitor their blood pressure regularly, adhere to medication
instructions and maintain a regular dialogue and care regimen with
their NP or another trusted health provider.
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners
(AANP) is the largest professional membership organization
for nurse practitioners (NPs) of all specialties. It represents the
interests of the more than 222,000 licensed NPs in the U.S. AANP
membership includes over 73,000 individual members and 200
organizations. AANP provides legislative leadership at the local,
state and national levels, advancing health policy; promoting
excellence in practice, education and research; and establishing
standards that best serve NP patients and other health care
consumers. As The Voice of the Nurse
Practitioner®, AANP represents the interests of NPs
as providers of high-quality, cost-effective, comprehensive,
patient-centered health care. To locate a nurse practitioner in
your community, go to npfinder.com. For more information
about NPs, visit aanp.org.
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nurse-practitioners-encourage-heart-to-heart-conversations-to-prevent-heart-disease-300407963.html
SOURCE American Association of Nurse Practitioners