By 2025, the HEARTS model will be the model for the cardiovascular disease risk management, including hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia in primary health care in the Americas

HEARTS is being implemented and expanded in

24 countries of the Region to include 2095 health centers implementing HEARTS, which together cover approximately 20 millon adults in the respective catchment areas.

The Pan American Journal of Public Health is undertaking several initiatives to commemorate its first century. This special celebration precedes the 120th anniversary of the Pan American Health Organization and its continuous work promoting health in the Americas.

The special issue of the Pan American Journal of Public Health showcases relevant research efforts in the Region of the Americas on the HEARTS implementation and early results of this comprehensive model to improve hypertension control and the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, it opens the space for more discussion, encourages further studies in the field, and emphasizes the need for higher involvement of stakeholders in the implementation of HEARTS in the Americas Initiative. The articles comprise original research and some translations into Spanish and Portuguese of articles recently published in other journals.

The articles comprise original research and some translations into Spanish and Portuguese of articles recently published in other journals.

Available articles

HEARTS in the Americas: innovations for improving hypertension and cardiovascular disease risk management in primary care

Special report | English | Ordunez et al. |

Authors’ response to the letter “Concerning The HEARTS app: a clinical tool for cardiovascular risk and hypertension management in primary health care”

Letter | English | Ordunez et al. |

Concerning “The HEARTS app: a clinical tool for cardiovascular risk and hypertension management in primary health care”

Letter | English | Muñoz Laguna and Banegas |

2021 World Health Organization guideline on pharmacological treatment of hypertension: Policy implications for the region of the Americas

Special report | English | Campbell et al. |

Drivers and scorecards to improve hypertension control in primary care practice: Recommendations from the HEARTS in the Americas Innovation Group

Special report | English | Brettler et al. |

HEARTS in the Americas: a global example of using clinically validated automated blood pressure devices in cardiovascular disease prevention and management in primary healthcare settings

Special report | English | Ordunez et al |

The HEARTS app: a clinical tool for cardiovascular risk and hypertension management in primary health care

Brief communication | English | Ordunez et al. |

Global HEARTS Initiative

Global Hearts is an initiative spearheaded by the World Health Organization involving various global actors, including the Centers for Disease Control and prevention of the United States (CDC) and the Initiative Resolve to Save Lives, among other global actors. The Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) leads the implementation of HEARTS in the Region of the Americas, ensuring that implementation actions are aligned with the strategic priorities of the region, particularly with the universal health coverage resolution, strengthening of health systems based on primary care and with the Sustainable Development Goals 2030, specifically those related to the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (NCD)

HEARTS in the Americas

HEARTS in the Americas is an initiative of the countries, led by the Ministries of Health with the participation of local stakeholders with the technical cooperation of PAHO. The Initiative seeks to integrate seamlessly and progressively into already existing health delivery services to promote the adoption of global best practices in the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and improve the performance of the services through better control of high blood pressure and the promotion of secondary prevention with emphasis on the primary health care. HEARTS is being implemented and expanded in 24 countries of the Region to include 2095 health centers across the Region implementing HEARTS, which together cover approximately 20 millon adults in the respective catchment areas. the HEARTS model will be the model for cardiovascular disease risk management, including hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia in primary health care in the Americas by 2025.

Highlights

USE HEARTS FOR EVERY HEART, EVERYWHERE

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), through the HEARTS in the Americas Initiative in collaboration with The Pan American Journal of Public Health, kindly invites you on Thursday, September 22nd, 2022, to attend the webinar "Use HEARTS for every heart, everywhere", in observance of World Heart Day 2022.

more information

Successful implementation of Capacity Building Workshops for Health Care Providers in Suriname to implement the HEARTs initiative

Suriname, August 22, 2022 (PAHO) – The Ministry of Health in Suriname, with the support of PAHO/WHO Suriname, organized, a 3-day interactive capacity building workshop from August 16 – 18 for healthcare providers in Suriname. The purpose of the National Workshops was to promote the HEARTS in the Americas initiative as a National Approach to tackle cardiovascular disease by controlling hypertension through the strengthening of the Healthcare System at the Primary Care Level.