Newswise — MAYWOOD, IL – Thirteen Loyola Medicine primary care practices have been recognized by the American Heart Association and American Medical Association for its commitment to improving blood pressure (BP) control rates, earning Gold Plus or Gold level recognition as part of Target: BP™.

The following Loyola centers were recognized as Target BP Gold Plus or Gold level practices in 2024 for reaching 70% blood pressure control or higher within their patient populations. Gold Plus recognizes practices that also demonstrate a commitment to measurement accuracy.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a leading risk factor for heart attacks, strokes and preventable death in the U.S. There are 122.4 million U.S. adults living with hypertension. This is nearly half of all adults in the country.1 Unfortunately, just a quarter of them have their BP under control, making both diagnosis and effective management critical.2 In the U.S., heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 5 causes of death, respectively, and stroke is a leading cause of disability.

"Heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death for adults in the U.S.," said Shawn Vincent, President and CEO of Loyola Medicine. "Our providers are committed to the lifesaving work of helping patients prevent and manage risk factors like high blood pressure. We are proud to be recognized for our dedication to providing the best care to our community and prioritizing blood pressure control."

Target: BP is a national initiative formed by the American Heart Association and American Medical Association in response to the high prevalence of uncontrolled blood pressure. The initiative aims to help health care organizations and care teams, at no cost, improve blood pressure control rates through an evidence-based quality improvement program and recognizes organizations, like these 13 Loyola Medicine primary care practices that are committed to improving blood pressure control.

“By committing to helping more people in these areas control their blood pressure and reduce their risks for future heart disease and stroke, these private practice sites are taking a key step to help more people live longer, healthier lives,” said Yvonne Commodore-Mensah, PhD, MHS, RN, FAHA, Target: BP advisory group volunteer and associate professor at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. "Their participation in the Target: BP initiative shows its dedication to turning clinical guidelines into lifelines for patients and their families.”

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About Loyola Medicine

Loyola Medicine, a member of Trinity Health, is a nationally ranked academic, quaternary care system based in Chicago's western suburbs. The three-hospital system includes Loyola University Medical Center (LUMC), Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, MacNeal Hospital, as well as convenient locations offering primary care, specialty care and immediate care services from more than 1,500 physicians throughout Cook, Will and DuPage counties. Loyola is a 547-licensed-bed hospital in Maywood that includes the William G. and Mary A. Ryan Center for Heart & Vascular Medicine, the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, the John L. Keeley, MD, Emergency Department, a Level 1 trauma center, Illinois's largest burn center, a certified comprehensive stroke center and a children’s hospital. Having delivered compassionate care for over 50 years, Loyola also trains the next generation of caregivers through its academic affiliation with Loyola University Chicago’s Stritch School of Medicine and Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing. Established in 1961, Gottlieb is a 247-licensed-bed community hospital in Melrose Park with the Judd A. Weinberg Emergency Department, the Loyola Center for Metabolic Surgery and Bariatric Care and the Loyola Cancer Care & Research Facility at the Marjorie G. Weinberg Cancer Center, acute rehabilitation, a transitional care center, childcare center and fitness center. MacNeal is a 374-licensed-bed teaching hospital in Berwyn with advanced medical, surgical and psychiatric services and a 68-bed behavioral health program. 

For more information, visit loyolamedicine.org. You can also follow Loyola Medicine on LinkedIn, Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter).

About Trinity Health

Trinity Health is one of the largest not-for-profit, Catholic health care systems in the nation. It is a family of 123,000 colleagues and nearly 27,000 physicians and clinicians caring for diverse communities across 26 states. Nationally recognized for care and experience, the Trinity Health system includes 88 hospitals, 135 continuing care locations, the second largest PACE program in the country, 136 urgent care locations and many other health and well-being services. In fiscal year 2023, the Livonia, Michigan-based health system invested $1.5 billion in its communities in the form of charity care and other community benefit programs. For more information, visit us at www.trinity-health.org, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X (formerly known as Twitter).  

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TYPE OF ARTICLE
Announcement
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Cardiovascular Health Healthcare Heart Disease
KEYWORDS
stroke award Blood Pressure Control Heart Attack Prevention Stroke Prevention American Heart Association
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