It's all for one and one for all as the Heart and Stroke Foundation welcomes
a united Canadian hypertension organization

EDMONTON , Oct. 28 /CNW Telbec/ - The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada today welcomed the integration of the Canadian Hypertension Society (CHS), Blood Pressure Canada (BPC), and the Canadian Hypertension Education Program (CHEP) into one hypertension entity.

The aim is to strike a triple blow at heart disease and stroke.

The new organization will improve the development, translation, dissemination and uptake of hypertension research, clinical practice guidelines and other resources to health care professionals, Canadians living with high blood pressure, and the general public.

The announcement was made at the Annual General Meeting of Blood Pressure Canada held during the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress in Edmonton .

'We believe this union will facilitate hypertension research and prevention initiatives, enhance patient outcomes, help save lives and improve the health of Canadians," said Sally Brown , CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada . "We look forward to partnering with this important new organization in a variety of ways to achieve our shared goal to reduce hypertension in Canada ."

As a member of both BPC and CHEP, the Heart and Stroke Foundation was actively engaged in the efforts to facilitate this integration.

"The changes that are occurring with integration provide an opportunity to enhance research from basic sciences to the population level, and integrate research, clinical practice and public education and prevention efforts," said Mansoor Husain, President, Canadian Hypertension Society. "This new organization will increase our ability to prevent and control high blood pressure and will consolidate and enhance Canada's world leadership in hypertension," said Dr. Norm Campbell , Chair, Hypertension Education Program and President, Blood Pressure Canada .

The Heart and Stroke Foundation (heartandstroke.ca), a volunteer-based health charity, leads in eliminating heart disease and stroke and reducing their impact through the advancement of research and its application, the promotion of healthy living, and advocacy.

For further information: and/or interviews, contact: Eileen Melnick McCarthy, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, [phone] ext. 318 or [phone] (mobile), [email protected]