Vital Signs

The Affordable Care Act

• Will expand health insurance coverage to up to 94% of people under age 65 by 2019.
• Will require new health plans to cover preventive services for certain populations including
  • Testing for high blood pressure and cholesterol.
  • Counseling on the use of daily aspirin to reduce the risk of a heart attack or a stroke.
  • Using counseling and medication to help people quit smoking.
  • Managing obesity and providing counseling on diet and weight loss.
• Will provide more trained health professionals to treat people with high blood pressure and cholesterol.
• Will improve the delivery of services.

Policymakers can:

• Develop policies that reward effective disease prevention and chronic disease management.
• Develop policies that allow other health care professionals (pharmacists, dietitians, community health workers, nurses and nurse practitioners) to have a more active role in managing high blood pressure and cholesterol.
• Develop policies for medical care that increase the use of electronic health records and doctor reminder systems.
• Champion policies to reduce salt and eliminate artificial trans fat in the nation's food supply.

Doctors, nurses, and other health providers can:

• Follow current guidelines for prevention, treatment, and control of heart disease and stroke.
• Use electronic health records and registries of their patients with high blood pressure and cholesterol, or who smoke so patients get the follow-up care they need, and providers get feedback on their performance.
• Manage these conditions at every patient visit at every provider to help them control their blood pressure and cholesterol.
• Remind patients about follow-up care (e.g., automatic phone calls, Internet reminders) and self-monitoring of high blood pressure at home.
• Urge patients at every opportunity to quit smoking.

Individuals can:

• Follow your doctor's instructions and stay on your medications to control your blood pressure and cholesterol.
• Eat a healthy diet that is low in salt; low in total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol; and rich in fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Take at least 1 brisk 10-minute walk, 3 times a day, 5 days a week.
• Don't smoke. If you smoke, quit as soon as possible.