Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association and Measure Up/Pressure Down(TM) join together to combat high blood pressure

The American Medical Group Association (AMGA) announced today that the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA) will join forces with the Measure Up/Pressure Down(TM) national hypertension campaign as a partner organization. Together, PCNA and Measure Up/Pressure Down(TM) will collaborate on educational materials and resources for patients and providers alike, support increased involvement of provider groups, and highlight the critical role nurses play in blood pressure management and control.

"PCNA is pleased to be a partner in the Measure Up/Pressure Down(TM) campaign. We have learned that collaboration with like-minded professional organizations can amplify the impact of our work," says Suzanne Hughes, Clinical Education Project Director at PCNA. "We are proud of our professional and patient education resources targeting improvement in high blood pressure detection, prevention, and control and look forward to sharing these resources more broadly. We also embrace the chance to learn ‘best practice' pearls from premier healthcare systems participating in this effort. This is a true win/win."

Measure Up/Pressure Down(TM) is a three-year national campaign to improve high blood pressure prevention, detection, and control, spearheaded by the American Medical Group Foundation (AMGF), the AMGA's nonprofit education and research arm. Uncontrolled hypertension can lead to heart attacks, chronic heart failure, stroke, and other serious health issues. Measure Up/Pressure Down(TM) is the first initiative of the Chronic Care Challenge, a long-term effort by AMGF to improve quality of care and patient outcomes for chronic conditions with the greatest impact.

High blood pressure is one of our nation's most significant health issues.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), high blood pressure contributes to nearly 1,000 deaths a day and accounts for an estimated $156 billion in health care services, medications and lost productivity. An estimated 68 million Americans have the disease, often referred to as the silent killer.

"PCNA has a long history of supporting and empowering nurses in hypertension and cardiovascular health. As we know, nurses and nurse practitioners play an important role on a healthcare team," says Donald W. Fisher, Ph.D., CAE, President and Chief Executive Officer of AMGA. "We are grateful to have PCNA come on board as a national partner of Measure Up/Pressure Down(TM) and enhance the first campaign of AMGF's Chronic Care Challenge."

As part of its efforts, Measure Up/Pressure Down(TM) mobilizes medical groups and health systems to achieve the goal of having 80 percent of their patients with high blood pressure under control by 2016. The central mission of the campaign is to encourage medical groups and organized systems of care to adopt one or more evidence-based care processes that lead to measurable improvements in high blood pressure outcomes. Nearly 150 AMGA medical groups and health systems delivering care to more than 42 million patients have joined Measure Up/Pressure Down(TM).

The campaign also brings together national partners and sponsor organizations to work collectively to provide patients and communities information and tools that facilitate lifestyle changes, medication adherence, and other keys to successful blood pressure control.

PCNA joins other national partners and supporting organizations of the campaign, including the American Heart Association, American Kidney Fund, American Society of Hypertension, American Stroke Association, Association of Black Cardiologists, Institute for Health and Productivity Management, Institute for Healthcare Improvement, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Million Hearts(R) initiative, Right Care, and WomenHeart. Campaign sponsors that are committed to helping resolve this public health challenge: Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., Withings, Baptist Medical Group, Aetna, Humedica, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Epic, and Ralphs. For more information about the campaign, visit www.MeasureUpPressureDown.com.