American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a national voluntary health agency and the oldest and largest voluntary agency in the United States that addresses all aspects of cardiovascular diseases. Founded by six physicians in 1924, it was initially known as the "Association for the Prevention and Relief of Heart Disease" before changing its name to the current one ten years later. The organization was founded as a result of communication between cardiologists from different cities around America who wanted to collaborate on research projects regarding cardiovascular diseases.

In 1948, President Truman wrote a letter thanking members of the AHA for their service during World War II. As part of this letter, he recognized October as National Coronary Month. In 1954, an AHA division was formed called "The American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation" to specifically treat patients with cardiac disabilities.

In 1968, the AHA issued the first written medical guidelines for CPR that were made available to public safety organizations. The first Science Advisory in 1969 prompted research into obesity as a risk factor for heart disease. This was followed by the inauguration of the International Obesity Task Force in 1979.

Today, under their new name "the American Heart Association", they work on providing standards for CPR training courses and teaching CPR worldwide at their health centers and annual events. Other efforts include educating physicians through continuing education conferences, promoting cardiovascular research, lobbying Congress against major threats to cardiovascular health, among other projects. As part of this mission, they have worked closely with many hospitals around America and the world to improve cardiovascular health and prevent heart disease. They are also a major source of information for patients and families affected by heart disease.

The American Heart Association is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. It has a staff of over 2,000 people and an annual budget of over $400 million. The AHA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funded by individual donations, membership dues, fees, and other revenue sources. Contributions to the AHA are tax deductible in the United States. The AHA's mission is "to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke".

For more information on the American Heart Association or coronary heart disease, please visit their website at www.heart.org.