Agency Details:

American Heart Association

The mission of the American Heart Association is to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Description:
The American Heart Association has set an impact goal to reduce coronary heart disease, stroke and risk by 25% by the year 2010. In addition to continuing heart healthy lifestyle education, the American Heart Association saves lives by increasing the survival rate after a heart attack, cardiac arrest or stroke. Chances of survival increase if immediate action is taken upon symptoms or occurrence of heart attack, cardiac arrest or stroke.

Funding has provided tremendous breakthroughs including the ability to recognize high blood pressure, the creation of lifesaving CPR, and the development and use of artificial valves, pacemakers and the heart/lung machine.

The American Heart Association spent more than $474 million during fiscal year 2004 — 2005 for research support, public and professional education, and community programs. The American Heart Association is the largest voluntary health organization fighting cardiovascular diseases and stroke, which annually kill more than 960,000 Americans.

History:
Since 1949, the American Heart Association has grown rapidly in size, financial resources, involvement with medical and non-medical volunteers, and influence -- both nationally and internationally. The AHA moved the National Center from New York City to Dallas in 1975 to better serve affiliates and local divisions nationwide. The volunteer-led affiliates and their divisions form a national network of local AHA organizations involved in providing research, education, and community programs and in raising money to support the association's work. The network continues to gain strength as it expands at the grass-roots level.

Contact people:

Mary Toland, (phone), (email) Daniel Kachura, Director, Corporate Relations, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (410) 637-4550

Address:

415 N. Charles Street Baltimore, MD 21201 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.americanheart.org

Directions:

Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Charles Street,   Walk distance (in minutes): 10

Last updated on June 22, 2009