AHRQ Views Blog: Observing Efforts To Improve Heart Health During American Heart Month

AHRQ’s new initiative to increase heart attack patients’ participation in cardiac rehabilitation is among agency efforts highlighted during American Heart Month in a blog post by Bob McNellis, M.P.H., senior advisor for primary care, and Michael Harrison, senior social scientist. The TAKEheart initiative will provide evidence-based strategies to increase rates of cardiac rehabilitation as well as support peer-to-peer learning about strategies such as home-based rehabilitation and reduction of disparities in rehabilitation rates. The initiative aligns with AHRQ’s EvidenceNOW project, which has helped promote evidence-based strategies in cardiac care among more than 1,500 small- and medium-sized primary care practices. AHRQ also offers a variety of resources on topics such as blood pressure and cholesterol control and smoking cessation to help people either prevent heart disease or manage an existing condition. Access the blog post.