This post was authored by Janet Wright, MD, FACC, executive director of Million Hearts^®, a national, public-private initiative of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reminded us this week why the Million Hearts® initiative, and its goal of preventing 1 million heart attacks and strokes, is so important. According to the latest Vital Signs report, 200,000 deaths from heart disease and stroke every year don’t have to happen.

With more effective public health measures, lifestyle changes, and improved medical care, we could avoid 200,000 deaths in people younger than 75.

Controlling high blood pressure is one of the key things that can prevent these deaths.

For that reason, Million Hearts® is seeking success stories from practices and systems, large and small, urban and rural that have achieved high rates of blood pressure control.

We know the stories are out there. For example, last month, Dr. Marc Jaffe and colleagues at Kaiser Permanente of Northern California reported their success with a 5-step plan for controlling blood pressure. Regular and timely feedback for team members, use of patient registries, and a single-pill combination medication were key to their success.

A year ago, Million Hearts® recognized two practices for getting high blood pressure under control for more than 80 percent of their patients: Kaiser Permanente Colorado in Denver and the Ellsworth Medical Clinic in rural, western Wisconsin. They focused on:

• A common goal – blood pressure control – for the health care team and patient.
• Health information technology – a registry and electronic health records – allowing them to track patient care over time and incorporate prompts and reminders to improve care.
• Team-based care – every member of the team provided patient support and follow-up care to help patients manage their medicines and stick to a blood pressure control plan.

This year, we want to recognize even more Hypertension Control Champions. The 2013 Million Hearts® Hypertension Control Challenge is open until September 9, 2013. Any practice or system that provides care for patients with hypertension and has achieved hypertension control rates greater than 70 percent is eligible.

Please share your success story and help us prevent heart attacks and strokes – and the needless deaths of mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, friends, and colleagues.

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