Every 38 seconds, an American dies from cardiovascular disease (CVD).  While overall mortality rates have declined over the last decade, CVD remains the cause of 1 out of every 3 American deaths—nearly 1.5 times the mortality of all cancers combined. However, the most alarming statistic is that many of these deaths could have been prevented.  Despite extraordinary advances in the identification and management of CVD, the greatest contributors to the incidence and progression of CVD are modifiable risk factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, smoking, and inadequate management of concomitant disease states. As the population across the US and much of the world becomes increasingly sedentary and obese, cardiovascular disease has emerged as one of the most significant public health challenges of our time.

As the public’s most accessible health care provider, pharmacists can play a significant role in the prevention and management of CVD. In fact, studies have already demonstrated the value of pharmacists in improving cardiovascular outcomes.  In 2009, a trial published in the Archives of Internal Medicine showed that collaboration between physicians and pharmacists resulted in better control of hypertension, the most common cardiovascular disease and a major contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Pharmacists have also been shown to improve outcomes in the outpatient management of heart failure and hyperlipidemia. In the health-system setting, pharmacists reduce medication errors and optimize therapy among hospitalized patients with cardiovascular disease.

As future health care professionals and patient advocates, student pharmacists can support these efforts and address an unmet need in public health by helping patients identify and understand their risks for CVD. Through public awareness, community outreach, and patient-specific education on cardiovascular risk factors, student pharmacists can empower patients to take control of their health and prevent cardiovascular disease before it starts.

Through participation in Operation Heart student pharmacist will work in their communities to encourage lifestyle modifications, monitor associated risk factors, and provide education about medications for heart disease.

Information & Resources 

Chapters will receive the Operation Heart Binder in their Fall Membership Box (mailed in August to the chapter's primary advisor).

Past Operation Heart Award Winning Chapters