New York - The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA) announced a milestone collaboration to counter the epidemic of cardiovascular and kidney disease in the U.S. This partnership represents a major joint effort between these two longstanding health organizations to combat this public health problem.

NKF and AHA will launch their partnership in a joint hypertension awareness campaign called “The Domino Effect” on April 25th. Kicking off with a media tour the campaign will alert Americans to the hazards of uncontrolled high blood pressure and the major risk factor for stroke, heart attack, heart failure and kidney disease. This campaign underscores that complications associated with these conditions can be curbed or stopped through early detection and prevention.

“High blood pressure is a silent risk factor for kidney disease and cardiovascular events. Improved treatment of high blood pressure can prevent stroke, kidney disease and heart disease," said Joseph Vassalotti, MD, Chief Medical Officer of the National Kidney Foundation. “Working side-by-side with AHA, we will pool our resources to raise the volume on this important message to improve heart and kidney health in our communities.”

NKF will also join AHA’s Check. Change. Control.™ Leadership Community. The goal of the program is to help 13.6 million more Americans take control of their high blood pressure by 2020. “The Domino Effect” campaign partnership will coordinate and maximize both organizations’ resources in highly visible national public awareness programs and educational initiatives.

“Bringing together the knowledge and resources of these two prominent, long-standing health organizations, marks an important step in our continued work to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular disease and stroke,” said Pablo A. Ortiz, Ph.D., Head of the Hypertension and Vascular Research Division at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI, and Chair of the American Heart Association Council on Kidney in Cardiovascular Disease.

“AHA and NKF share common priorities and interests to reduce cardiovascular-related disability and death through research, communication, advocacy and education.”