Strategies for Success: Million Hearts® Hypertension Control Champions.

Abstract

Background: Among the 119.9 million U.S. adults with hypertension, an estimated 92.9 million have systolic blood pressure ≥ 130 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 80 mm Hg. Million Hearts® is an initiative co-led since 2011 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The program drives improvement in hypertension control by celebrating high-achieving clinicians, practices, and health systems each year as Million Hearts Hypertension Control Champions. Champions have validated control rates of 80% or higher.

Methods: Using data from each Champion, we summarized their key characteristics and quantified their use of various evidence-based strategies. We calculated summary statistics for application data provided by Champions based on the initiative's five-year cycles of operation (2012-2015; 2017-2020; 2022-2024).

Results: From 2012 to 2024, a total of 199 Hypertension Control Champions from 44 states were recognized; mean prevalence of systolic blood pressure < 140 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure < 90 mm Hg was 82%. Overall, Champions reported using multiple evidence-based strategies to help their patients achieve hypertension control. The top 3 strategies were electronic medical record (EMR) usage, patient supports including self-measured blood pressure monitoring (SMBP), and team-based care.

Conclusions: The Million Hearts® Hypertension Control Champions demonstrate that hypertension control may be achievable among patients across diverse settings by implementation of evidence-based approaches.