Health information technology tools like EHR systems will enable cardiologists improve their treatment of patients with heart disease and help them meet some of the goals of a new initiative of the Department of Health and Human Services, government officials said.

In announcing the Million Hearts initiative, which seeks to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes over the next five years, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said giving new tools to providers to support their efforts will be important.

In particular, her office singled out health IT as one of the most effective resources for ensuring patients are following their doctor’s advice. EHR systems will allow medical professionals to easily and quickly track changes in individual’s blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Given the high cost of treating heart disease, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Director David Berwick said the success of the program is critically important.

“By shifting our focus from paying for how much care is provided to how to get the best health for Americans and putting more tools into the hands of health care providers and patients, CMS can help prevent strokes, heart attacks and avoidable human suffering,” he said.