Heart disease and stroke are the first and fifth leading causes of death in the United States. Every 43 seconds, someone in the United States has a heart attack, many of them fatal. On average, one American dies from stroke every 4 minutes.

Million Hearts® is a national initiative with an ambitious goal to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017. Million Hearts® brings together existing efforts and new programs to improve health across communities and help Americans live longer, healthier, more productive lives. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are the co-leaders of Million Hearts® within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Million Hearts® aims to prevent heart disease and stroke by:

Million Hearts® aims to prevent heart attacks and strokes by:

• Improving access to effective care.
• Improving quality of care for the ABCS of heart health:
  • Aspirin when appropriate.
  • Blood pressure control.
  • Cholesterol management.
  • Smoking cessation.
• Focusing clinical attention on the prevention of heart attack and stroke.
• Activating the public to lead a heart-healthy lifestyle.
• Improving the prescription and adherence to appropriate medications for the ABCS.

To learn more about the Million Hearts® initiative please go to: http://millionhearts.hhs.gov/index.html.