Eighteen Months of Data from the Online Million Hearts® Educational Program: Implications and Quality

Purpose: Part of the Million Hearts® educational program involves users completing ten cardiovascular screenings in the community. The Million Hearts® screenings are meant to identify individuals with cardiovascular pre-disease, uncontrolled disease, and risk factors for the development of disease.  Methods: De-identified data is collected on participants during Million Hearts® screenings and entered by users into the educational program via Checkbox® survey. To improve referral and counseling rates, a quality improvement (QI) project was conducted. Results: Results from participants’ screenings during the first 18 months of data collection indicate: (a)52% had an abnormal blood pressure, (b)49% were either overweight or obese, (c)27% identified themselves as either a smoker or social smoker, (d)  those with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or greater are more likely to have pre-hypertension, stage I, or stage II hypertension then those with a BMI under 25; (e)  those who smoke are more likely to have pre-hypertension, stage I, or stage II hypertension then those who do not smoke; (f) Blacks, Latinos, and American Indians had higher rates of stage I and stage II hypertension then Caucasians; (g) Blacks, Latinos, and American Indians were more likely to be referred to a health care provider then Caucasians; (h) 38% of participants were referred for follow-up with a health care provider and (i) 76% received counseling on their biometrics. A QI project was initiated to increase counseling and referrals to health care providers during Million Hearts® screenings. Conclusions: Significant opportunities exist in which to target blood pressure, smoking and obesity through lifestyle modifications. Increasing the rates of referrals and counseling are needed in order to ensure participants are provided with the tools and resources to improve and optimize their cardiovascular health.