Nearly half of U.S. adults - 122.4 million people - are living with high blood pressure, a leading preventable risk factor for heart disease, stroke and premature death, according to the 2025 American Heart Association Statistical Update. Yet just a quarter of them have their blood pressure under control, making both diagnosis and effective management critical public health priorities.
The American Heart Association and American Medical Association are recognizing 2,307 healthcare organizations - 495 more than in 2024 - for tackling this public health challenge through the Target: BP initiative. This national program, launched in 2015, leverages American Heart Association science and the evidence-based AMA MAP framework to help care teams organize their approach to providing evidence-based care.
This year's participating organizations span 49 states or U.S. territories and serve more than 38 million patients, including nearly 10.6 million people with hypertension. More than 40% of participating organizations are nonprofit health centers that receive federal funding to reach medically underserved populations. Among those recognized, nearly 60% received Gold or Gold+ award level recognition for achieving blood pressure control rates of greater than or equal to 70%.
Hypertension accounts for nearly $50 billion in annual healthcare costs in the U.S. and is often called the 'silent killer' because it frequently goes unnoticed until serious damage occurs. Since the program's launch, more than 4,900 healthcare organizations have joined the nationwide movement to make heart health a priority, with approximately 80% of participating organizations continuing their engagement year after year.
The initiative provides physicians and care teams with professional education, practice tools and resources to effectively partner with patients and ensure all Americans have access to quality care for blood pressure management. This collaborative approach demonstrates how healthcare organizations can work to close gaps in blood pressure control through patient awareness and education, ultimately improving overall well-being and reducing cardiovascular disease risk.
