Heart Disease and Stroke Rates Have Dropped Significantly in the Last Decade

For Immediate Release

Madison, WI (August 19, 2014) President of Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA), Barbara Fletcher, RN, MN, FAHA, FPCNA, FAAN makes statement following news published yesterday that the rates of U.S. hospitalizations and deaths from heart disease and stroke dropped significantly in the last decade. The news indicates that this is cause for great optimism for all health care team members in the field of cardiology. The data, published in the journal Circulation, demonstrated that by the end of 2011, hospitalization rates dropped 38 percent for heart attack; 30.5 percent for heart failure; and 33.6 percent for ischemic stroke.

“These remarkable declines occurred during a time period in which very few revolutionary new therapies were introduced, but rather during a period of time when clinicians, healthcare systems, and patients made fuller use of existing therapies- tools that we know work to prevent and to better treat heart disease and heart disease risk factors,” commented Barbara Fletcher, current PCNA president. “This news provides us great momentum to continue moving forward in the fight against the leading killer of both men and women. We at PCNA are committed to supporting the work of nurses and all health professionals working with patients to make and sustain lifestyle changes, adhere to evidence-based treatment regimens, and act as full partners in their own care.” 

PCNA has established itself as the premier organization of nursing professionals dedicated to the prevention of cardiac and other vascular diseases. PCNA’s mission includes developing and promoting nurses as leaders in this field and supporting comprehensive risk reduction strategies for individuals and populations across the lifespan. PCNA takes pride in supporting leadership, advocacy, lifelong learning and empowerment of the nursing community. To learn more about PCNA and their continuing education, free nursing tools, Annual Symposium and more, visit PCNA.net or join members on facebook.com/heartnurses or twitter @heartnurses.

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