Welcome to the first edition of FYI From the NHLBI, designed to expand communications between the NHLBI, our public interest groups, and the public at large. Our goal is to provide you with information on such topics as new NHLBI research initiatives, recent research findings, upcoming meetings and events, key congressional activities, and ways to find and use federal biomedical databases.

Obviously, our first issue could not include all of the items and topics that will be of interest to you. Future editions will include articles about our prevention and education activities, the Institute's ongoing intramural and extramural programs, and exciting new projects being undertaken by our Institute. We welcome your suggestions for articles and comments on how we can make this publication more closely fit your needs. Comments may be addressed to NHLBI.Listens@nih.gov.

I am pleased to announce that we also are moving to establish a public liaison site on the NHLBI home page so that you will have easier access to the information that you need. Once we have a draft Web site in place, we will ask you to review it carefully and provide input into its final structure.

We view FYI From the NHLBI and the future Web site as the beginning of what we are confident will be a long and fruitful collaboration.

Sincerely yours,

Claude Lenfant, M.D.
Director

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) was established by Congress in 1948 as the National Heart Institute. Since those early beginnings, our mission has expanded. We now provide national leadership in fighting not only heart disease, but also diseases of the blood vessels, lungs, and blood. Additionally, we lead the Nation's efforts to ensure safe blood resources and to combat sleep disorders.

The NHLBI exists to plan, conduct, foster, and support integrated and coordinated programs in:

• Basic research
• Clinical investigations and trials
• Observational studies
• Disease prevention and control
• Public, patient, and professional education

We work closely with other research organizations and government agencies. And, we strive to maintain close ties with voluntary agencies and organizations. It is their confidence in us and the unwavering support of the American public that enable our advances in preventing, treating, and curing various diseases. By applying this new knowledge, we can improve the health and quality of life of the American people and provide them with a highly favorable return on their tax-dollar investment.

May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month

Recent Advances from the NHLBI

• NHLBI Issues New Advisory on Systolic Blood Pressure
• The NHLBI Stops Part of Study - High Blood Pressure Drug Performs No Better than Standard Treatment

Spotlight on Our Web Site

• New Web Site Released for High Blood Pressure Education Month