The Ohio Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention (HDSP) program supports cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk reduction activities by providing state-level public health coordination to address heart disease and stroke through partnerships formed with other Ohio Department of Health (ODH) programs and organizations statewide. The HDSP program is also committed to eliminating disparities in heart disease and stroke incidence and mortality among different populations in Ohio.

 In 2001, ODH began building consensus among stakeholders in developing a statewide plan to improve cardiovascular health for all Ohio residents. The Ohio Plan to Prevent Heart Disease and Stroke 2002-2007 was completed in 2003. The HDSP program also facilitates the Cardiovascular (CVH) Health Alliance whose mission is to guide, promote and participate in the strategic planning process as well as champion the Ohio Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Plan implementation.  In 2005, the CVH Alliance reconvened the Ohio Stroke Council, a subcommittee of the alliance to aid in the development of a statewide stroke system of care.  In 2008, Ohio received additional funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to establish stroke telemedicine networks in two underserved regions of the state.  The goal of this three-year project is to link a Joint Commission-certified primary stroke center to smaller rural hospitals and provide rapid access via an Internet connection to real-time acute stroke treatment for residents of rural counties.

In 2007, Ohio received new five-year funding from CDC to establish the statewide Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Registry to improve acute stroke care in hospitals. The long-term goal of this national program is to ensure all Americans receive the highest quality acute stroke care currently available and to reduce the number of untimely deaths attributable to stroke, prevent stroke-related disability and prevent stroke patients from suffering recurrent strokes. The purpose of the registry is to: