American Heart Association
Access to Healthcare Network
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
Health Heart Ambassador - Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring
Hypertension (HTN) is known as the silent killer. It affects men and women of every age, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. it is estimated that 47% of U.S. adults (116 million) have a blood pressure of ≥ 130mm Hg systolic and ≥ 80mm Hg diastolic. (Stage 1 hypertension.)
Of people with HTN recommended to make a lifestyle change or take anti-hypertensives 74% (68 million) do not have their HTN under control. Uncontrolled HTN is the leading cause of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, dementia, and kidney disease. Alarmingly, the prevalence of hypertensive events in pregnancy are increasing as is the cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality rate linked to hypertension in younger populations. (35-64).
To help all Nevadans have access to information to help self-monitor their blood pressure, the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health has introduced the Heart Healthy Ambassador Blood Pressure Self Measuring Program (HHA-BPSM).
Million Hearts
Police/Fire Heart and Lung Program
This program is governed by NRS 617.455 and 617.457 and Nevada Administrative Code Chapter 617. These laws and regulations entitle police officers, correctional officers, firemen and other positions identified under NRS 617.135, who develop heart or lung disease after 5 years of continuous uninterrupted service, to a conclusive presumption that the disease is work related, provided that the employee submits to required physical exams and takes action to correct predisposing conditions that lead to these diseases when ordered to do so by the examining physician. Eligible employees who have claims accepted are entitled to lifetime medical benefits and the opportunity to elect permanent total disability if they cannot continue to work as a police or correctional officer or fireman. This is a valuable workers’ compensation benefit that is not enjoyed by other groups of employees and is completely separate from regular health plan benefits. Claims costs related to this special benefit can be quite significant-averaging over $500,000 each when permanent total disability is involved.