About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is the nation's leading voluntary health organization focused on reducing disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

American Heart Association-funded research has contributed to many important scientific advances in preventing and treating heart disease and stroke. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), bypass surgery, artificial heart valves and life-extending drugs are just a few of them. These advances have improved and saved the lives of thousands of Americans.

Last fiscal year, the American Heart Association spent about $140 million on scientific research. More than 6 million people receive CPR training annually through the Association's network of 4,000 community training centers.

Major initiatives include:

Scientific Sessions

This annual scientific meeting draws more than 34,000 international and domestic attendees and is the world's largest cardiovascular conference for scientists and healthcare professionals. Learn more

Get With the Guidelines-CAD

Get With The Guidelines is a rapid-cycle, continuous quality improvement initiative for hospitalized patients who have had a coronary event. The program is estimated to be able to save more than 40,000 people annually if the American Heart Association guidelines are implemented at least 80% of the time. The program focuses on building consensus among a hospital team, identifying a program "champion" to drive the program, and implementing discharge protocols that include medications and lifestyle modifications. Learn more

Heart Profilers

Heart Profilers are free Internet-based treatment decision tools. By using them, you can access a detailed analysis of your specific condition and pinpoint the exact topics you should discuss with your doctor. The Heart Profilers will help you and your doctor make better informed decisions about your treatment, because they contain information from evidence-based, professionally reviewed medical literature. Click here to review

Cholesterol Low Down

To urge Americans to reduce their risk for heart disease, the American Heart Association is introducing a new theme entitled, "Taking It Personally," as part of the Cholesterol Low Down national education campaign, currently in its fourth year. The Cholesterol Low Down provides free cholesterol screenings and educational materials to consumers.

Choose to Move

Choose To Move is a fun, free and flexible physical activity program developed for women. It lasts 12 weeks and is designed to help participants gradually increase their physical activity levels to 30 minutes on most days of the week (5 days) -- a level shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Besides helping women to establish physical activity as a habit, Choose To Move also offers information on healthy eating and weight management.

Visit the American Heart Association

Return to the Home page partner listing.