What Is the Purpose of the American Heart Association?

The American Heart Association (AHA) is a national organization dedicated to promoting cardiovascular wellness and heart attack prevention. AHA was founded in 1924 by six cardiologists representing several medical groups with a shared interest in developing research and studies regarding heart disease.

Primary Purpose

• The primary purpose of AHA is to provide funding for research that advances the cause of reducing/eliminating death and disability due to heart disease and stroke.

Mission Statement

• According to the AHA website, the group's mission statement is: "Building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke."

Goals

• The AHA has set a goal to reduce the risks associated with stroke and coronary heart disease by 25 percent as of 2010.

Funding

• In line with its core purpose, the AHA, which is a non-profit agency, spends the funds received from private donations on research and education centered on heart disease and stroke.

Significance

• According to the AHA, about 80 million adults in the U.S. have at least one type of heart disease. The organization seeks to carry out its mission in hopes of seeing this number begin to decline.