The American Heart Association has decided to partner with the Chinese Society of Cardiology to improve outcomes for heart attack patients. | Courtesy of Shutterstock
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Caitlin Nordahl | Jun 16, 2016

American Heart Association partners with Chinese Society of Cardiology to improve outcomes for heart attack patients

The American Heart Association recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Chinese Medical Association’s Chinese Society of Cardiology, which will see the institutions cooperate on establishing measures to improve the system of care for heart attack patients in China.

“Hospitalizations from (ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), a specific type of heart attack) represent an increasing health burden for China,” former American Heart Association President Sidney Smith Jr. said. “There are a number of highly effective therapies that can significantly improve outcomes and reduce recurrent events in patients, but adherence to evidence-based guidelines for cardiovascular care that implement these therapies for patients remains incomplete and highly variable.”

The three-year agreement includes provisions for implementing an emergency medical system and a hospital-based program that will work to improve the level of care Chinese patients receive. 

“The endorsement of China’s National Health and Family Planning Commission accelerates cooperation to reduce the global burden of heart disease and stroke,” Smith said. “This agreement allows us to widely share research and best practices that played an important role in reducing U.S. deaths from cardiovascular disease by 39 percent during a 10-year period starting in 2001.”

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