The American Heart Association (AHA) has recognized more than 3,000 health care organizations nationwide for their commitment to improving outcomes for patients with heart disease, stroke, and related conditions through its Get With The Guidelines quality improvement programs. The recognition comes as cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, according to the AHA's 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics. The awards span clinical areas including stroke, heart failure, heart attack, cardiac arrest, Type 2 diabetes, and atrial fibrillation, with levels ranging from Bronze to Gold Plus based on performance and duration of achievement.
Get With The Guidelines programs help health care teams apply the latest evidence-based science to treatment decisions, ensuring timely, consistent care. This year, 222 hospitals received the Commitment to Quality award, up from 158 in its inaugural year, highlighting organizations that demonstrate high performance across at least three clinical areas. Additionally, 624 agencies earned Mission: Lifeline EMS awards for rapid, research-based care in severe heart attacks and strokes, and 47 sites received Mission: Lifeline Regional recognition for coordinating systems of care with referring and receiving hospitals and EMS.
Karen Joynt-Maddox, M.D., MPH, volunteer chair of the AHA's Quality Oversight Committee, emphasized that improving outcomes requires coordinated, high-quality care across the entire continuum. She noted that recognized organizations are applying the latest science and strengthening systems of care to ensure patients receive the right treatment at the right time.
New this year is the Target: Aortic Stenosis Honor Roll, an initiative to improve detection and treatment of aortic stenosis, a common and underdiagnosed heart valve disease affecting over 1.7 million Americans over age 65. Forty-one organizations received this recognition. Edwards Lifesciences is the national sponsor of the initiative.
Studies show that following guideline-directed care can help patients recover faster, reduce complications, and lower hospital readmission rates. The growing number of recognized organizations reflects continued momentum among health care teams to standardize care and reduce variation. To view the full list of recipients, visit U.S. News & World Report and learn more about the AHA's quality improvement efforts at heart.org/quality.
