Quality Insights and Million Hearts Initiative work to reduce heart disease

February is American Heart Month, a month to spread awareness about the importance of heart health. Heart disease is still the leading cause of death for all Americans. Fortunately, there are many simple steps people can take to prevent heart disease, such as eating healthy foods, exercising regularly and not smoking.

The Department of Health and Human Services is working with both public and private partners to raise awareness of heart disease through vital research investments and public health programs. The Million Hearts initiative takes aim at this disease, with a goal of preventing 1 million heart attacks and strokes over five years. Other efforts, like The Heart Truth, which addresses women’s heart health, work to provide people with resources and ways to make heart-healthy changes in their everyday lives.

In the First State, Quality Insights of Delaware has launched Engage Delaware, a project aimed at improving heart health for Delawareans. Visit the Engage Delaware site at www.qide.org/engage to sign up for a free monthly e-newsletter with heart health tips and advice. The site also offers free resources to keep health on track.

For more information on American Heart Month, go to millionhearts.hhs.gov.

For more information on women and heart disease, go to www.nhlbi.nih.gov/educational/hearttruth/ or womenshealth.gov/heartattack.

The American Heart Association can teach the warning signs of a heart attack or stroke. Visit www.heart.org/HEARTORG.

Quality Insights of Delaware, under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services protects Medicare patient rights and works collaboratively with hospitals and other healthcare providers in Delaware to assist them in their efforts to improve the quality of the care they deliver. To learn more about this nonprofit organization, go to www.qide.org.