Virginia Healthy Hearts Initiative

The Virginia Department of Health was awarded two new programs in 2023.

The National Cardiovascular Health Program is a 5-year program. It works to prevent and manage cardiovascular disease in those who are at risk. The program uses multiple strategies to address social and economic factors. 

Strategies include: 

  • Tracking and monitoring clinical and social services and support needs measures 
  • Implementing team-based care 
  • Linking community resources and clinical services 

The Innovative Cardiovascular Health Program is a 5-year agreement. It focuses on identifying and responding to health care disparities in CVD. The goal is to improve related outcomes in those with hypertension and high cholesterol.  

Populations of focus for this award are adults aged 18 and older with a hypertension crude prevalence of 53% or higher, as shown by data specifically at the census tract level.

Healthy Hearts Initiative logo

Healthy Hearts Initiative logo

VDH National and Innovative CVH Census Tracts Map

How to find an address that is within the Program in the map above.

Map Search Instructions image

National CVH and Innovative CVH Priority Populations:

  • Priority Population #1: Patients diagnosed with hypertension ages 45-85 years old 
  • Priority Population #2: African American ages 18 years and older 
  • Priority Population #3: African American pregnant and postpartum women 18 years and older. 
  • Priority Population #4: Males ages 18 years and older 
  • Priority Population #5: Individuals ages 18 years and older with a history of either hypertension, high blood cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, stroke, transient ischemic stroke, diabetes, tobacco use. 
  • Priority Population #6: Adults screened for any of the following social determinants of health:  Low education, uninsured, unemployed, low income, inadequate access to care, or those experiencing adverse childhood events. 

Strategies 

  1. Track and Monitor Clinical and Social Services and Support Needs Measures Shown to Improve Health and Wellness, Health Care Quality, and Identify Patients at Highest Risk of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) with a Focus on Hypertension and High Cholesterol. 
  2. Implement Team-Based Care to Prevent and Reduce CVD Risk with a Focus on Hypertension and High Cholesterol Prevention, Detection, Control, and Management through the Mitigation of Social Support Barriers to Improve Outcomes. 
  3. Link Community Resources and Clinical Services that Support Bidirectional Referrals, Self-Management, and Lifestyle Change to Address Social Determinants that Put the Priority Populations at Increased Risk for Cardiovascular Disease with a Focus on Hypertension and High Cholesterol.