Richland Center, WI – The American Heart Association and American Medical Association presented the Target : BP Silver Award to The Richland Hospital and Clinics for its commitment to prioritizing blood pressure control.

The Silver achievement award recognizes practices that have demonstrated commitment to improving blood pressure control through blood pressure (BP) measurement accuracy. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a leading risk factor for heart attacks, strokes, and preventable death in the United States. There are 122.4 million US adults living with hypertension. That is nearly half of all adults in the country. Unfortunately, just a quarter of them have their BP under control, making both diagnosis and effective management critical. In the US, heart disease and stroke are the number 1 and 5 causes of death, respectively, and stroke is a leading cause of disability.

“Addressing blood pressure management is key for better cardiovascular health,” says Heather Thome, who works as a registered nurse, clinical coordinator and stroke program coordinator at TRHC. “Regular blood pressure checks help catch issues early, giving you a chance to make lifestyle changes or seek treatment before serious problems surface,” she continues.

“By committing to helping more people in our service area control their blood pressure and reduce their risks for future heart disease and stroke, TRHC is taking a key step to helping more people live longer, healthier lives,” says Melissa Wertz, Clinical Director. “Our participation in Target: BP initiative shows its dedication to turning clinical guidelines into lifelines for patients and their families,” adds Thome.

Richland Hospital and Clinics is a nationally awarded health care facility dedicated to caring, educating, and healing. Providing compassionate care for over 100 years to residents of the greater Richland County area, TRHC operates in three locations, including rural health clinics in Muscoda and Spring Green, and a clinic, pharmacy, and critical care at its primary health center in Richland Center, WI.