The Million Hearts® Hospitals and Health Systems designation was developed to encourage and recognize hospitals that adopt evidence-based, systematic approaches known to improve quality of care and cardiovascular health. As of June 2022, there are five recognized institutions, and information on the excellent work of each can be found on the Million Hearts webpage. Moving forward, CDC and NACDD continue to vet and recognize applicants on a rolling basis. The application was initially configured to align with Million Hearts®2022, and was updated in 2022 to align with Million Hearts® 2027 priorities.

NACDD’s CVH team hosted a national webinar to promote the Million Hearts® Hospitals and Health Systems Recognition Program. A recording of the event — which provides an overview of the program, areas of alignment across CDC divisions, a working example from Colorado, and an introduction to three of our designees — can be found here (passcode 76%2=6dY). 

2022 Designees

Congrats to The Johns Hopkins Hospital (JHH), newly recognized as a Million Hearts® Hospital for their work in improving employee wellness, achieving blood pressure control, and making advances in cardiac rehabilitation. Read their spotlight story here. 

Congrats to UCHealth Memorial Hospital, newly recognized as a Million Hearts® Hospital dedicated to improving the heart health of patients, employees and the communities it serves through its cardiac rehabilitation program. Read their spotlight story here.

NACDD has been a proud national partner of Million Hearts® since 2012 and works with CDC and many other partners to support the priority areas of Million Hearts®. To further this partnership, NACDD provided an opportunity for organizations states to receive funding as part of the Million Hearts® Health Equity Implementation Project. The resources provided through this opportunity were intended to support work in reducing health disparities.

Each funding recipient focused on a Million Hearts® priority population and implemented appropriate strategies outlined in Million Hearts® 2027 Focusing on Health Equity to address their needs. 

Read the press release announcement here.

Learn more about each funding recipient’s efforts and lessons learned here.

The CRCP was developed in partnership with the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) to present a listing of process improvements that CR champions can implement as they seek optimal CR utilization. It is composed of change concepts, change ideas, and tools and resources. Learn more.

NACDD partnered with Million Hearts®  and AACVPR to produce a 4-part video series that will be released during American Heart Month 2024. Find out more!

Overview:

NACDD has partnered with Million Hearts® and the Preeclampsia Foundation with a shared goal of improving maternal health outcomes and preventing adverse events. In support of this goal, NACDD is convened a wide range of maternal and cardiovascular health experts, researchers, public health professionals, and policy makers through a series of meetings designed to identify: 

• Current and emerging evidence regarding the use of self-measured blood pressure (SMBP) monitoring to improve diagnosis, treatment, and management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy; 
• Data gaps and challenges to widespread use and endorsement of SMBP in maternal healthcare; 
• Emerging solutions and best practices for using SMBP and reducing disparities in access to care and rates of hypertension-related pregnancy complications in this population. 

Projected Outcomes:

• Summary of the Million Hearts® SMBP Implementation in Pregnant and Postpartum Persons Action Planning Summit held on May 6^th, 2024
• Action Steps to guide more widespread implementation and endorsement of SMBP for pregnant and postpartum persons;
• A white paper detailing SMBP best practices and standards of care, research gaps, communication needs, and advocacy approaches. 

New Digital Tools:

NACDD produced a patient testimonial video highlighting  SMBP that can be shared with pregnant or post-partum persons and their healthcare teams. Coming Soon!

NACDD will produce a new podcast episode on The Heart of the Matter on the topic of hypertension and cardiovascular risk surrounding pregnancy. Coming Soon!