Embargoed until Monday, January 8, 2024 at 1:00 PM Central Time / 2:00 PM Eastern Time
DALLAS, January 8, 2024 — From our humble beginnings as a small specialty medical association founded by six cardiologists in Chicago in 1924, american heart association has emerged as the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer organization dedicated to the fight against heart disease and stroke. Today, the association brings together more than 35 million volunteers and supporters and more than 2,900 employees and is a global force transforming the way the world understands, treats and prevents cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. It has become. In 2024, with the American Heart Association’s 100th anniversary event, Bold Hearts™, the organization will Celebrating 100 years of progress and a vision for a brighter future for everyone.
“One hundred years ago, heart disease was considered a death sentence. Little was known about the causes of the disease and how to care for those living with it and those who died from it. Even less well-known: Dr. Paul Dudley White, one of the founders of the American Heart Association, said that those early days were a time of “almost incredible ignorance” about heart disease. “American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown said. “Through our relentless pursuit of life-saving research, science and innovation, and our unwavering support for patients, families and caregivers, we create healthier communities everywhere and transform the way we all live, work and play. It’s transforming and enabling people to live longer, healthier lives.”
Before the advent of antibiotics, infectious diseases such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and diphtheria were the most common causes of death in developed countries. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), characterized by vascular plaque and thickening of artery walls, first emerged as a major health threat in the mid-20th century and remains the number one killer worldwide. I am. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“There is much to learn from this historic shift in the decline in deaths from infectious diseases and the current prevalence of deaths from cardiovascular disease,” said Joseph C. Wu, MD, FAHA’s current volunteer president. Stated. Simon H. Stelzer, Director of the American Heart Association, Stanford Heart and Vascular Institute, and Professor of Medicine and Radiology, Stanford School of Medicine. “Through scientific research, technological advances, and public health policies, most of these infectious diseases have been controlled, and many have been eradicated or nearly eradicated. The American Heart Association is making great strides in the fight against heart disease and stroke. Too many people still die each year, but many people are struggling to manage their cardiovascular disease and risk factors. while living longer, more productive lives.”
The inspiration for the association’s founding came in 1911 from Mary Wadley, a nurse and social worker at New York City’s Bellevue Hospital. She believed more could be done to help people suffering from heart disease. According to Dr. Eugene Braunwald, a renowned cardiologist and distinguished scientist who is sometimes called the “father of cardiology,” heart disease was considered so serious at the time that doctors He was hesitant to even tell his patients that he had heart disease. In the first part of a special series, 100th Anniversary Collection paper,”Cardiology: A Century of Progress,” was published in CirculationBraunwald, the flagship journal of the American Heart Association, writes, “It is recommended that patients with severe heart disease should not be informed of this and that they should inform their friends and relatives.” He also mentions other treatments of the time.
- Recommended treatments for chronic heart disease are very limited and consist of only a few recommendations today: weight loss if weight and blood pressure are elevated, and reducing salt intake. It had been.
- If you survived a heart attack, there was no specific treatment other than bed rest, a liquid diet, and general supportive measures.
- People with high blood pressure were advised to reduce their salt intake and weight, as well as soak in warm water and cleanse their colons once or twice a week.
“Times have certainly changed over the past century. Thanks to bold action and dedicated researchers and volunteers, we have made over 100 innovations, including the first artificial heart valves, implantable pacemakers, cholesterol-lowering drugs, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and more. More than 20 years of great advances in medicine have been made,” said current volunteer Marsha E. Jones. He is Chairman of the Board of the American Heart Association and former Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer of PNC Financial Services Group. That’s why the American Heart Association continues to be our champion of health equity.10 promises. ” These efforts are designed to ensure we are doing all we can to remove barriers to health, including through research, advocacy and community action. ”
Mr. Brown pointed out that defense For more than 40 years, it has played a mission-critical role in the association’s activities.
“Our grassroots network includes staff and volunteers in Washington, D.C., every state capital, and communities across the country. “We have built an extensive track record of bipartisan success in informing and influencing the enactment of evidence-based public policies that lead to healthier lives,” she said. “We were early leaders in the fight for successful tobacco control policy and have been strong advocates for increased federal research funding at the National Institutes of Health. Our advocacy priorities include quality It also includes improving access to affordable health care.Increasing access to healthy food.Creating opportunities for physical activity.Improving air quality.Strengthening public health infrastructure and care systems.Public policy “We will continue to work to ensure that state and local governments address the health concerns of their populations.”
Wu noted that rigorous and innovative research has always been core to the American Heart Association’s mission.
“The American Heart Association is a recognized world leader in advancing groundbreaking research and science,” he said. “Our volunteer experts set the gold standard in patient care through the development and socialization of research-based cardiovascular care and CPR guidelines. We drive continuous quality improvement throughout our hospitals and medical programs to ensure that people receive the right care at the right time.”
Each year, a series of events scientific sessions and conferences, the association convenes thousands of leading experts from around the world, including dedicated and passionate scientists, clinicians, medical professionals, patients and others, to bring together thousands of leading experts on the latest developments in the fight against heart disease and stroke. We discuss and discuss cardiovascular science and clinical information.Publication in one of the Society’s 14 peer-reviewed papers science magazine This is synonymous with quality, relevance, and importance in advancing medical knowledge related to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
that’s all Investing $5.7 billion in cardiovascular medical research Since 1949, the American Heart Association has been the nation’s largest nongovernmental funder of heart and stroke research, second only to the U.S. government. To date, the association has funded more than 49,000 projects and has led to significant advances in cardiovascular and stroke discovery, translation, and clinical applications. Additionally, 15 researchers who received funding from the American Heart Association won. Nobel Prizeconfirms this association as a center of excellence in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease research.
“At the heart of everything we do is the powerful work of our global family of volunteers, donors, advocates and survivors. People go door-to-door to collect donations from their neighbors. From the early days of the Heart Foundation, to the record-breaking community HeartWalks, to the generosity of local and national corporate sponsors, to the heartfelt philanthropy of major donors, the American Heart Association has The financial support we were given was a game-changer,” Brown said. “Equally noteworthy was the time, passion and dedication that countless people gave to our cause, which was demonstrated in countless ways. “Thank you.” As if that weren’t enough, I would like to make a commitment to everyone who has made any contribution to the American Heart Association. To commemorate the 100th anniversaryth On your birthday, we promise to remain a constant force for living longer, healthier lives. Our work enters its second century and is focused on promoting health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Our future is in improving your future. ”
visit heart.org/centennial Throughout 2024, learn more about how the American Heart Association is leveraging 100 years of life-saving and improving results to boldly build a second century of equitable health for all. Read stories about the bold hearts who have inspired, invented, imagined and informed heart health. .
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is constantly working to help the world live longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with thousands of organizations and the power of millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for public health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for a century. In 2024, our 100th anniversary, we celebrate our rich 100 years of history and achievements. As we move forward into his second century of bold discovery and impact, our vision is to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere.connect with us at heart.org, Facebook, X Or call 1-800-AHA-USA1.
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Media inquiries and AHA/ASA expert opinion: 214-706-1173
Cathy Lewis: cathy.lewis@heart.org
General inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
