Reliant Medical Group Earns National Recognition for Commitment to Control Blood Pressure in Patients
Only Central Mass.-based Organization to Receive “Target: BP” Gold Status from the American Heart Association and American Medical Association
October 30, 2018 – Reliant Medical Group has been recognized by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Medical Association (AMA) with Gold Status for its performance in the “Target: BP Recognition” program, which acknowledges healthcare systems’ commitments to help patients improve blood pressure control. The Gold Status is earned by physician practices and health systems across the nation that have 70 percent or more of their adult patient population with controlled blood pressure. Reliant is the only recipient in Central Massachusetts, and one of only four in Massachusetts.
Launched in 2015, “Target: BP” is a national initiative between the AHA and AMA aimed at addressing the growing burden of high blood pressure in the United States. More than 1,600 physician practices and health systems nationwide are participants in “Target: BP,” sharing a common goal to reduce the number of adult patients with uncontrolled blood pressure and improve health outcomes associated with heart disease. Nearly half of the 802 organizations recognized this year achieved Gold Status.
“High blood pressure is a serious health risk, but it’s also manageable with the right tools and treatment plan,” said Tarek Elsawy, M.D., president and CEO at Reliant. “At Reliant, our providers work hard to help patients manage their blood pressure, thereby avoiding more serious health complications. This recognition from the AHA and AMA further validates the great care our providers put in each day to keep our patients healthy.”
According to the AHA and AMA, of the 103 million Americans with high blood pressure, less than half of them have it controlled to a healthy level. This is despite the fact that high blood pressure can often be managed effectively when patients work with their physician to create and follow a treatment plan.
No single risk factor has more impact on the nation’s death rates from cardiovascular disease than high blood pressure.
“We applaud the physicians who are already working hard to control their patients’ blood pressure, and we will continue to urge more physician practices, health systems and patients to join this effort to prioritize blood pressure control and increase the national blood pressure control rate,” said AMA President Barbara L. McAneny, M.D. “Together, we will be able to save many more lives and improve health outcomes for patients throughout the nation.”
“A driving force behind Target: BP’s goal of improving cardiovascular health is the physician and patient partnership,” said AHA President Ivor Benjamin, M.D., FAHA. “We are pleased to see more and more practices prioritize blood pressure control and collaborate with their patients to achieve the program’s goal of reducing heart disease and strokes in their communities.”
