Death rates from heart disease and strokes have dropped dramatically worldwide over the past century, thanks in part to the efforts of the American Heart Association.
And one hundred years after launching in 1924, the Association is pausing to reflect on some “remarkable achievements” responsible for cutting the rates of death from heart disease by “70% from 1950 to 2021 – and stroke death rates by nearly a third since 1998”.
“Advancements over the past century are far beyond anything the founders of the American Heart Association could imagine,” said Mariell Jessup, M.D., the Association’s chief science and medical officer. “We can perform open and closed heart surgery, bring a heart back to life through resuscitation and defibrillation and even provide people with a second chance at life through heart transplants.”
The amazing story behind a century of scientific breakthrough is told in the journal article: The American Heart Association at 100: A Century of Scientific Progress and the Future of Cardiovascular Science.
And when it comes to the future, the hope is of conquering heart disease.
“Our next century is a thrilling opportunity for advancing our knowledge and hopefully even defeating heart disease and stroke,” says Nancy Brown, American Heart Association CEO.
The opportunity, the Association says, will come from creating more diverse workforces, better funding for research, greater scientific literacy among the public, which combined will give all individuals the tools they need to “become champions of their own heart”.
“Everyone can become a champion of their own heart and brain health and support healthy living in their communities,” Brown adds. “We encourage you to join us as we boldly carry out our mission to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives for all. Learn how at www.heart.org/centennial.”
