The Florida Heart Research Institute announced that it is launching the SHARPP Study: Study of Hispanics to Assess Risk Prevention in Prehypertensives. Hypertension is a major threat in our health and our lives. Untreated, this “silent killer” can lead to heart attack, heart failure, stroke and kidney failure. Dr. Maria Canossa-Terris, Medical Director of the Florida Heart Research Institute, notes that “our research at Florida Heart Research Institute has taught us that hypertension is more prevalent amongst the Hispanic population of Miami-Dade County than it is in the general County population.”

“Pre-hypertension is the ideal time to identify and reverse this deadly process before any damage has occurred,” notes Dr. Paul Kurlansky, Director of Research of the Florida Heart Research Institute. “This exciting initiative has the potential to advance the field of hypertension treatment and research not only for Hispanics, but for the community at large,” comments Kathleen DuCasse, Florida Heart’s Chief Executive Officer.