Heart disease is the number one killer of women

National Wear Red Day is a great way to keep heart aware. It is also a great opportunity to have a conversation with your patients about their heart health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has information you can share with your patients, including a helpful Know the Facts about Heart Disease flyer that’s free for health care professionals.

 

Controlling high blood pressure, diabetes, extra weight and unhealthy diets are heart disease contributors that you can help your patients recognize. For information about these heart disease risks to share with your patients, use the CDC website for toolkits, flyers and give-a-ways.

Measure Up: Controlling High Blood Pressure (CBP)

Known as the “silent killer,” high blood pressure or hypertension increases the risk of heart disease.

 

The HEDIS® measure CBP looks at the percentage of patients 18-85 years of age who had a diagnosis of hypertension and whose blood pressure was adequately controlled (140/90) in the measurement year. Record all blood pressure readings and the dates they were taken being sure to record the exact reading. Blood pressure readings captured during a telehealth, virtual care, telephone or e-visit should also be recorded.

 

Measure Up: Statin Therapy for Patients with Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes (SPC/SPD)

Statins are effective at lowering cholesterol and protecting against a heart attach and stroke. Patients with diabetes also have elevated cardiovascular risk.

• Statin therapy for patients with cardiovascular disease (STC). HEDIS measure assesses males 21-75 years of age and females 40-75 years of age who have clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and who received and adhered to statin therapy.
• Statin therapy for patients with diabetes (STD) assesses adults 40-75 years of age who have diabetes and who do not have clinical ASCVD, who received and adhered to statin therapy.

 

Adherence to prescribed medication is key to patient care and SPC/SPD measure success.

 

HEDIS® is a registered trademark of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).
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