About Us
Research funded by the American Heart Association has yielded
lifesaving techniques and medical breakthroughs such as artificial valves,
CPR, life-extending drugs, pacemakers, bypass surgery and techniques to
repair heart defects. In addition, research has led to important discoveries
such as knowledge about the links between smoking and heart disease, FDA
food labeling guidelines and many more medical treatments and advances.
Using the money raised from memorials, tributes, signature events, major gift donations and more, we are able to fund research at the national and state levels, the results of which benefit people here and throughout the United States.
- The American Heart Association - Mid-Atlantic Affiliate has invested nearly $6 million to fund 65 research awards in 2004-2005.
- During the 2004-2005 fiscal year, 18 research projects totaling over $2.6 million funded by the American Heart Association will be active in Greater Washington Region.
The American Heart Association is committed to advancing the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular patients, ultimately reducing disability and death from heart disease and stroke. The following highlights recent initiatives that impact our mission:
AHA Programs in the Greater Washington Region
Get with the Guidelines sm is a hospital-based, quality improvement initiative designed to ensure that patients are consistently treated and discharged according to evidence-based guidelines for coronary artery disease and stroke. The program empowers healthcare teams to save lives and reduce healthcare costs through:
- Training and staffing recommendations so hospitals can create an infrastructure and multidisciplinary teams
- Implementing Web-based, real-time patient management tools
- Facilitating best practices discussion among participating hospitals
- Providing customized patient education materials.
Community Health Initiatives for Heart Disease and Stroke employs state health alliances, educational programs and advocacy efforts to:
- Promote access to care
- Require coordinated school health programs in schools
- Support emergency medical response systems
- Require physical education with minimum standards in schools
- Promote state health department appropriations and public health services
- Establish stroke systems of care
- Reduce tobacco use and exposure
Cultural Health Initiatives
Cultural Health Initiatives strives to establish priorities and strategies to educate emerging populations including Hispanics and African-Americans, to reduce cardiovascular disease and stroke disparities through our Search Your Heart program, messaging, media, advocacy, and partnerships that reach out to and empower underserved communities to live healthier lifestyles.
Emergency Cardiovascular Care
Emergency Cardiovascular Care works to improve emergency response by training more than 8 million people a year in CPR. In the 2004-2005 fiscal year, we trained over 150,000 residents of the District, Maryland and Virginia in CPR and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED.)
Advocacy efforts
Advocacy efforts in the District, Maryland and Virginia are ensuring that public health is an important legislative priority. Current public policy priorities include the passage of smoke-free workplaces legislation, the promotion of physical education in schools and the establishment of stroke systems of care.
Power to End Stroke
Power to End Stroke is a campaign to heighten awareness and impact of stroke in the African American community through reducing risk factors, recognizing stroke warning signs and responding by calling 9-1-1.
Go Red for Women
Go Red for Women is a movement to raise women's awareness
of the magnitude of heart disease, and more importantly changing behavior
that promotes healthier hearts. The campaign encourages women to make positive
changes in their lives that could help reduce their risk of heart disease
or stroke.
Science and Professional Education
Science and Professional Education is an important means of advancing the prevention and treatment for cardiovascular diseases. Whether through our scientific journals, HeartProfilers treatment tool or our annual scientific conferences, the American Heart Association is using innovative forums to provide an ongoing exchange of ideas and cutting-edge information between medical professional, researchers and consumers.
(703) 248 1713