Learn About The American Heart Association
The American Heart Association (AHA) was founded in 1924, with a mission to fighting cardiovascular diseases and stroke. The AHA is the oldest and largest organization made up of more than 22.5 million supporters and volunteers working hard to help defeat heart diseases and strokes. In 1997, The American Stroke Association division was created, which dedicates itself to preventing, diagnosing and treating stroke.
What Does The American Heart Association Do?
In addition to aiming to help eliminate cardiovascular disease and stroke, another mission of the American Heart Association is to help educate the public and promote awareness about heart disease and stroke. The AHA is also one of the nation’s leaders in CPR training. The American Heart Association wants the public to understand cardiovascular disease and that it is preventable for all. If we can observe what the AHA calls the Simple 7, we can lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. The Simple 7 consists of:
- Being physically active
- Not smoking
- Maintaining a healthy body weight
- Maintaining a healthy diet
- Controlling your blood pressure
- Controlling your cholesterol
- Controlling your blood sugar
American Heart Association Statistics About Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke
- Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death, taking 17.3 million lives per year.
- Approximately 2,150 Americans die each day from these diseases.
- From 2001-2011 the death rate from heart disease decreased 39%.
- In the United States, heart disease takes a life every 90 seconds.
For more information, or if you are interested in volunteering for the American Heart Association, please visit the American Heart Association websiste. If you are interested in taking American Heart Association courses at HCI, please click here.
