Starting from humble beginnings with high aspirations, a small group of social workers and physicians began the Association for the Prevention and Relief of Heart Disease in New York City in 1915. Their goal was to study whether patients with heart disease should remain bedridden until their demise. Six cardiologists expanded their reach to national proportions in 1924 by forming the American Heart Association. The AHA currently utilizes the expertise of millions of scientists and volunteers all working toward its mission of eliminating cardiovascular disease through research, education and preventive medicine.
History
After organizing in 1924, the AHA focused on expanding the science of heart disease by conferring with physicians and scientists across the U.S. and Canada. In 1946, the AHA received $50,000 from the American Legion to launch a community education program regarding rheumatic fever and its implications for heart health. The public first heard from the American Heart Association in 1948 during a radio contest and fund raiser that netted $1.75 million. The association continues to work closely with scientists and physicians but notes its major priority since 1995 involves educating individuals regarding effective prevention and treatment of heart disease and stroke.
Structure
The AHA National Center in Dallas, Texas, oversees eight affiliate offices scattered across several states in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Divisions and departments within the association handle a long list of operational duties, including research, consumer publications, patient advocacy, product development, patient and professional education and pharmaceutical round-tables. The AHA operates as a nonprofit, volunteer agency. Funded by private contributions, it has supplied more than $1 billion for cardiovascular research since 1949, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Function
Along with providing research grants to medical institutions, the AHA sponsors continuing medical education for health care providers. They publish journal articles and other instructional tools online, giving the public easy access to the latest in research and recommendations regarding cardiovascular disease. They develop cookbooks with heart-healthy recipes and sponsor 2,200 community volunteer organizations nationwide that actively engage local residents through outreach programs like the Heart Walk. The American Heart Association provided the first CPR guidelines in 1966.
Significance
The AHA began the effort to include women and minorities in research programs studying heart disease and stroke in the 1980s. This push helped science discover differences between white males and women or minorities regarding risk factors and symptoms of heart disease. For instance, the AHA notes that the most common symptom of heart attack for men and women is chest pain. However, women experience other common warning signs, such as shortness of breath, nausea and back or jaw pain more often than men do.
Expansion
One division of the American Heart Association is the American Stroke Association. The ASA offers instructional videos and online resources regarding the early signs and symptoms of stroke, a list of "stroke-certified" hospitals and information regarding recovery after stroke. For health care providers, the ASA provides up-to-date guidelines and quick access to the latest journal articles regarding stroke rehabilitation and aftercare.
