Maryland

When kids are hungry at school, they struggle to learn. Lawmakers in Annapolis have an opportunity to make sure all public school students in Maryland are fed for success by passing Senate Bill 557 and House Bill 628. The legislation would ensure ALL school children in Maryland are once again offered free breakfast and lunch, just as they were during […]

According the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, depression is a common experience for stroke survivors. A scientific statement from the Association indicates that about one-third of stroke survivors experience depression – compared to 5%–13% of adults without stroke. If left untreated, it can affect quality of […]

As a child growing up in the West Indies, Dr. Barbara Hutchinson was fascinated by the dynamics of her family’s health – and how it might affect her own. “My father’s side of the family seemed to have had heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, whereas my mother’s side of the family was relatively healthy,” Hutchinson said. […]

Ten prominent local women will help advance heart health and raise lifesaving funds to fight their No. 1 health threat with the American Heart Association, devoted to a world of healthier lives for all, as members of its Baltimore & Greater Maryland 2023 Woman of Impact class. Each year a select group of individuals across Maryland are nominated by […]

The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization devoted to world of healthier lives for all, announces Elizabeth Wise, President/CEO of University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health, as the community volunteer chair of the 2022-2023 Greater Maryland Go Red for Women movement. Go Red for Women is a worldwide initiative of the […]

The holidays are fast approaching and that means shopping, parties and gatherings with family and friends will fill the calendar in the upcoming weeks. This time of year is typically wrought with events planned around food. With that, there is a greater chance of eating unhealthily and drinking sugary beverages often with alcohol. According to Asha […]

Over time, high blood glucose can damage blood vessels and the nerves that control the heart over time. It’s just one of the ways diabetes and cardiovascular health go hand-in-hand. November is American Diabetes Month. Diabetes is a mismatch of the body’s ability to handle the glucose and calories from food that we take in. It relates to our […]

The American Heart Association presented awards to four individuals associated with the Johns Hopkins University and its medical system at the Association’s 2022 Scientific Sessions. Scientific Sessions is a premier global exchange of the latest scientific advancements, research and evidence-based clinical practice updates in cardiovascular science. […]

Strokes can happen to anyone at any age. Globally, one in four adults over the age of 25 will have a stroke in their lifetime. Each year, approximately 800,000 people in the U.S. suffer a stroke. Most adults in the U.S. do not know the F.A.S.T. warning signs of a stroke, and that stroke is largely treatable if you call 911 as soon as you recognize the […]

Now is the ideal time to get your flu shot if you haven’t already, according to medical experts, and doing so can not only keep you from getting sick, but also reduce risk for a cardiac event or stroke. “Studies and data show that people are six times more likely to have a heart attack during the week after having the flu compared to the year prior and […]

The 2022 Greater Maryland Heart Walk drew nearly 4,800 registered walkers, including over 135 Top Walkers, raising more than $1.53 million for the American Heart Association, which funds life-saving research and advocacy. For the first time, the Greater Maryland Heart Walk emanated from the Maryland State Fairgrounds on Saturday, Oct. 8. More than 250 […]

Where someone lives should not dictate how long they live. Six Maryland leaders are joining the American Heart Association’s Leaders of Impact campaign in an effort to combat health inequities in the community. Studies show a nearly 20-year life expectancy gap in zip codes across Baltimore and other parts of Maryland. According to the American Heart […]

The American Heart Association, the leading voluntary health organization focused on heart and brain health for all, is inviting Maryland to its premier event to boost physical and mental health through healthy habits while supporting the lifesaving mission. On Oct. 8, 2022, starting at 8 a.m., Greater Maryland area Heart Walk participants and teams […]

Editor’s note: This guest post was written by Daniel Hess, a writer and filmmaker from Baltimore who grew up with a congenital heart defect. I was born with aortic valve stenosis, which was detected when I was only 1-year-old during a routine check-in with my pediatrician. My father would often reflect on this moment and tell me he knew something […]

The American Heart Association’s school-based youth programs, Kids Heart Challenge™ and American Heart Challenge™, awarded $1,291 to St. Joseph School – Fullerton in Baltimore County, to purchase bocce and badminton equipment. The annual grant program supports schools by funding resources to extend school wellness programs. The American Heart […]

It’s summer and much of the population takes advantage of being outdoors. For many, that includes exercising, often in the heat and full sun, which can exacerbate existing medical conditions and bring on other issues if precautions aren’t taken. Exercising in the heat can cause dehydration. This means there is less fluid in the body and less blood […]

Jessica Shamer thought she might be helping her kids save the life of a turtle run over by a car about 10 years ago. Instead, she ended up saving the life of a man who experienced a sudden cardiac arrest that day using Hands-only CPR. Shamer, of Pasadena, Maryland, had taken her children and an injured turtle to a local veterinarian one day after […]

For over 43 years, the American Heart Association (AHA) has helped prepare kids for success by supporting their physical, mental, and emotional well-being through the Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge. Now more than ever, it takes an extraordinary commitment to support students’ overall health. The AHA recommends children age 6 to 17 […]

Shoppers can support the life-saving work of the American Heart Association Walgreens is proud to support the American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, through Life Is Why™, a cause marketing campaign benefitting the American Heart Association. Life Is Why inspires consumers to […]

Each year, 475,000 Americans die from cardiac arrest, an electrical malfunction in the heart that causes an irregular heartbeat and disrupts the flow of blood to the brain, lungs and other organs. Cardiac arrest claims more lives than colorectal cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, influenza, pneumonia, auto accidents, HIV, firearms, and house fires […]

Donald E. Wilson knew he was going to be a doctor from the time he was about 9 years old. Growing up in Worcester, Massachusetts, he had gotten ill, and his family called a doctor to the house who gave him an injection. “I got better. I was impressed,” Dr. Wilson, 86, recalled. “I said, ‘This is great, I’m going to be a doctor when I grow up.’ And I […]

It’s known as the silent killer. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is the leading cause of heart disease and stroke, and there usually are no signs or symptoms. American Heart Association data indicates that only 1 in 4 people with high blood pressure nationwide have it under control and an estimated 700,000 Marylanders have uncontrolled […]

As far back as they can trace, every generation of Stacia Cohen’s family has been affected by heart disease and stroke. Among Cohen and her siblings, three of the four had congenital heart disease. Two of Cohen’s siblings died in childhood, suffering from tetralogy of Fallot, a heart defect with four primary problems that ultimately impact the blood […]

The American Heart Association applauds the Maryland General Assembly for their unanimous support of life-saving legislation that will ensure state Medicaid recipients who have been diagnosed with uncontrolled high blood pressure are able to receive an at-home blood pressure monitoring device at no cost. The Maryland Senate passed the legislation today […]

Although heart disease primarily impacts older adults, others like elite athletes and those who hold demanding jobs like emergency responders endure added stress on the heart and may find themselves confronting serious cardiac issues. According to the American Heart Association, a death occurs every 40 seconds in the United States due to heart disease, […]

BALTIMORE — Health kiosks that provide biometric information including blood pressure readings, sponsored through a collaboration of the American Heart Association and LifeBridge Health, have been placed at two locations in the Baltimore area in the past month. The placement of the Higi Smart Health Stations is the latest effort in the multi-year […]

BALTIMORE – The American Heart Association of Greater Maryland today presented Steve Hess, the retiring deputy fire chief for BWI Airport Fire & Rescue Department, with a Heartsaver Hero Award. In his role at the airport, Hess, who is retiring at the end of March, has been a tireless advocate in advancing the American Heart Association’s mission of […]

The pathway to having a stronger heart is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Every individual is unique, which is why Melissa Kinstlinger M.S., RDN, LDN, CDCES, quality coordinator of the Diabetes and Nutrition Center, outpatient dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist for Northwest Hospital, offers individualized care to her […]

Reducing sedentary behavior and increasing physical activity is key to immediate and long-term health for children. That is why the American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, the National Football League (NFL) and Baltimore Ravens have awarded a $1,500 Get Moving Grant to Middlesex […]

Jennifer Nickoles, the vice president for operations and system integration for The Johns Hopkins Health System, has seen the way heart disease can impact people’s lives, especially women, both personally and professionally. “The heart of a woman must be strong — for her family and friends, coworkers and her community — but most importantly for […]

Culminating with Heart Ball in June, campaign seeks to improve health outcomes by focusing on CPR, reducing barriers and inequities to healthcare The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, has named Dr. George Bittar as its chair of the Heart of Maryland campaign. Bittar is the […]

BALTIMORE, NOV. 15, 2021 — Sixteen members of the BWI Airport’s Fire and Rescue Department, four officers from the Maryland Transportation Authority Police and a bystander were recognized Monday by the American Heart Association for their quick action in recent months that saved the lives of three people. “These public safety professionals jumped into […]

Rachel Craven will turn 45 on Saturday, Oct. 16, the day of the American Heart Association’s 2021 Greater Maryland Heart Walk. That’s just six years younger than her father was when he died of heart disease at age 51. “That was a huge impact on my family,” Rachel said of her father, Dean Craven, passing away when she was just in her late 20s. “Losing […]

The American Heart Association, the leading voluntary health organization focused on heart and brain health for all, is inviting Maryland back to its premier event to boost physical and mental health through healthy habits while supporting the lifesaving mission. Greater Maryland Heart Walk participants and teams are invited to the Camden Yards Sports […]

The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, announced the top awardees of its first-ever EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator™ Faith-Based hosted by the Eastern States region. The first-place grant of $50,000 was awarded to Pastor Cynthia Wallace of Bible Center Church in the […]

On Thursday, June 17, 2021, the American Heart Association (AHA) of Greater Maryland hosted its annual Go Red for Women luncheon, digitally, for the second year in a row due to lingering COVID-19 restrictions. Regardless of the format, it remained a powerful time where,  just shy of 100 ladies across Baltimore came together to be a relentless force for […]

Over $105,000 in Grants Will be Awarded to Local Community Leaders Faith-based organizations and places of worship have played an important role during the COVID-19 crisis in our country. These organizations and their volunteers and staff have been on the frontline, mitigating the impact of COVID-19 and providing communities with much needed guidance […]

To help some of Baltimore’s most economically disadvantaged residents prepare for  careers in the culinary arts, the American Heart Association (AHA), Maryland Food Bank’s (MFB) FoodWorks Program, and Living Classrooms Foundation are joining forces to launch a satellite location of the FoodWorks program in Baltimore . The initiative began this week at […]

The power of partnerships built on trust, dignity and respect was a key theme during March 17th’s EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator™ Faith-Based Workshop Zoom webinar, hosted by the American Heart Association (AHA), Eastern States region. “When you see value in people, it affirms that value that is in you,” said Dr. Abraham […]

Dr. Myron “Mike” Weisfeldt has been a leader in advancing diversity at Johns Hopkins since the early 1970s and is the 2021 recipient of the American Heart Association’s distinguished Watkins-Saunders Award. “Mike changed the face of Hopkins,” said Dean/CEO Emeritus Johns Hopkins Medicine Dr. Edward D. Miller, a decades-long colleague. “Mike was a […]

Faith-based organizations and places of worship have played an important role during the COVID-19 crisis in our country. These organizations and their volunteers and staff have been on the frontline, mitigating the impact of COVID-19 and providing communities with much needed guidance and support. That is why the American Heart Association’s Eastern […]

Volunteer Shuron Abdullah, a retired registered respiratory therapist with three-decades of experience shares her advocacy around protecting telehealth, as told to April Dawn Shinske. Shuron is an American Heart Association volunteer and has been a Basic Life Support/Heartsaver instructor.  “I’m cold. I’m cold.” The pleading words of my late […]

The American Heart Association (AHA) is pleased to announce that Bradley S. Chambers President, MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital and MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, and Senior Vice President, MedStar Health has been named chair of the 2021 Greater Maryland Heart Walk. “You can actually save a life by participating in Heart Walk,” said Chambers—citing […]

Towson High School student Noah Rich’s voice is a powerful example of the way BMore Champions4Change Youth advocates are making a big impact in fostering a healthier Maryland. “It feels great that our stories made a difference! When everything seems so polarized, it feels really empowering that Maryland went to work for us,” said Rich. BMore […]

“In order to take care of those around you, you need to remember to take care of yourself.”   Self-care was a key theme as the American Heart Association’s (AHA’s) Go Red for Women movement in Greater Maryland proudly celebrated National Wear Red Day on Friday, February 5th with a heart-to-heart panel discussion. Panelists at the event, sponsored […]

Advocates Say the Tobacco Tax Increase Will Save Lives and Increase Revenue Today, the Maryland Senate voted to override the governor’s veto of HB 732, the final step in enacting the state’s first cigarette tax increase in almost a decade. The policy includes a $1.75 per pack increase on cigarettes and, for the first time, a tax on electronic smoking […]

The Maryland House voted to override the governor’s veto of HB 732, the final step in enacting the state’s first tobacco tax increase in over a decade. The policy includes a $1.75 per pack increase on cigarettes and, for the first time, a tax on electronic smoking devices (e-cigarettes). The tobacco tax increase is projected to raise over $95 million […]

The American Heart Association (AHA) of Greater Maryland is proud to announce Kimberly Davis, Chief Accounting Officer, Versant Health as the 2021 Go Red for Women Chair. “It is truly an honor to be named the Chair of this year’s AHA Go Red for Women Campaign.  As women, we tend to ignore our own health as we focus on taking care of […]

                                                                                                                                                                          The Daily Record selected Caroline Hickam, American Heart Association of Greater Maryland’s Go Red for Women Director, to receive one of the 2020 Leading Women awards. The Daily […]

COVID has put a spotlight on public health, along with health disparities and the chronic conditions millions and millions of people in our country live with every day. Right at the top of those conditions are type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association have launched a campaign to educate […]

The challenges facing our world are many – from timely concerns such as the coronavirus pandemic and the renewed emphasis it has placed on the need to dismantle structural racism to the ongoing challenges of treating and beating the top two killers around the globe: heart disease and stroke. As president of the American Heart Association, Dr. Mitch […]

Established in 2012, the Watkins-Saunders Award honors Dr Levi Watkins and Dr Elijah Saunders, both pioneers in the field of cardiology who were committed to equality in health care. This award is given to individuals and/or organizations in the state of Maryland who champion the fight against health disparities through clinical or medical work,  or […]

April 3, 2019 began like any other day for Charlie Nordhoff. Little did he know that his life would change forever and he would be saved through CPR, thanks to the quick, life-saving actions of his colleagues. Charlie did not recognize that he was having a heart attack, nor did he recognize any symptoms of a heart attack. One of his co-workers noticed […]

In a victory for active transportation and a healthier community, on May 21 the Montgomery County Council approved approximately $30 million to support bicycle and pedestrian programs in their 2021 capital budget. The American Heart Association has supported equitable allocation of bike and walking infrastructure in the County since 2017 when revision […]

Long before the pandemic, systemic challenges have contributed to disparities that impede some people from living long, healthy lives. Your ZIP code should not determine how long you live, but it does. Social factors, which are shaped by the distribution of money, power, and resources, as well as immigration status, occupation, and language preference, […]

On May 15, the Eastern States Community Impact team launched the first webinar of a series designed to discuss the impact of COVID-19 in communities of color. The webinar was offered to health equity leaders nationwide and was attended by approximately 1,035 participants. During the webinar, implications of COVID-19 from the perspective of economics, […]

Hi! I am Mike Mathis. In August 2017, at the age of 50, I had a “widow maker” heart attack and survived. Everything went right that day. From the decision to have my wife drive me to the hospital, to the ER Doctors and Staff not giving up on me, even after 40 minutes. I spent 9 weeks at home recuperating from that event, and getting back my strength. I […]

I am a survivor. I am a 40-year-old mom of three boys, a hairless Chinese crested and black cat and at the age of 33, I suffered my first silent stroke. I was employed with an organization that presented extremely intense situations daily. While I loved my career greatly and especially adored my colleagues, I was unable to separate my health and […]

Do you know what it means to be a STEMinist? Go Red for Women’s STEM Goes Red is bringing amazing STEMinists to your home through our Instagram series “Saturday STEM Spotlight.” STEM Goes Red strives to engage young women and mentors, increase the number of women pursuing STEM degrees in higher education, close the gender gap in STEM jobs, and arm […]

Long before the coronavirus impacted how we live, work, and play, systemic challenges contributed to disparities that impede some people from living long, healthy lives. Your ZIP code should not determine how long you live, but it does. Social factors, which are shaped by the distribution of money, power, and resources, have been mostly responsible for […]

I’m A Survivor It was April 11, 2009, a normal Saturday morning.  I lived alone and had just gotten up to let my two dogs out.  My brother worked close by on the weekends and he had just called me to ask a favor.  I told him I would go brush my teeth then do it.  I went upstairs and started to brush my teeth when suddenly I lost control of my right […]

My name is Olivia Richardson and I am a two-time stroke survivor, former LVAD patient, and heart-transplant recipient. I was first diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and had my first stroke at the age of 25. This was a shock to me because I had always been an athlete and been healthy all my life. After my first stroke I had paralysis on my left side and I […]

A year after losing her father to heart disease, Victoria Niller has an extra ticket to her college graduation, an empty seat at the dinner table and no one to walk her or her sister down the aisle at their weddings. Her loss motivated her and her family to help fight heart disease. They joined the Greater Maryland Heart Walk to remember their loving […]

As cardiovascular disease continues to be the number one killer of women, ensuring more women are at the forefront of developing science, technology, education and math (STEM) solutions has never been more imperative. STEM is our future and as a science-based health non-profit, STEM is at the heart of who we are and what we do. Unfortunately, a […]

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – March 18, 2020 – Today the Maryland General Assembly took an important stand to protect public health by increasing funding for tobacco control and cessation programs and raising the state tobacco tax. The American Heart Association applauds the General Assembly for making such a significant investment in tobacco programs to combat the […]

The American Heart Association (AHA) – the world’s leaving voluntary organization dedicated to a world of longer, healthier lives – announced more than $21 million in research grants have been awarded to Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore.  72 total active research grants, between the two institutions, are […]

On Wednesday, January 22, 2020, the Greater Baltimore and Greater Washington Regions hosted a webinar on prescription assistance programs. The webinar was facilitated by FamilyWize and Walgreens and provided valuable information for those in attendance, including front-line clinical staff. Dr. Athol Morgan, cardiologist in West Baltimore and long-time […]

Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is home to an American Heart Association Hands-Only CPR training kiosk, providing millions of passengers the opportunity to learn lifesaving Hands-Only CPR in about five minutes. The interactive kiosk, supported by the Amerigroup Foundation,  was visted by Santa and two of his helpers from […]

We recently had the opportunity to speak with Chef Stephanie Rose, manager of the Simple Cooking with Heart Kitchen in Baltimore. Below is the first installment of our new series “Kitchen Conversations”. We are discussing the McCormick Flavor For Life classes being taught in the kitchen. Enjoy learning about this program and how you may not […]

On Monday, December 9, 2019, the American Heart Association of Greater Maryland held a community conversation about hypertension as part of the formal launch of our newest community blood pressure kiosk sponsored by CVS. The program, Barbershops and BP: Fading Out Hypertension, brought together barbers, community members and clinicians to discuss the […]

During the season of giving, the Simple Cooking with Heart Baltimore Kitchen brought together The American Heart Association’s staff and volunteers to prepare heart-healthy twists on Thanksgiving classics for JOY Baltimore’s 3rd Annual “Oh Give Thanks” Dinner. JOY Baltimore, an organization founded to end youth homelessness in Baltimore, will welcome […]

Researchers from Boston, New York, Baltimore and New Haven, Conn., were among those recognized Sunday at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2019 in Philadelphia. The Association’s Scientific Sessions is an annual, premier global exchange of the latest advances in cardiovascular science for researchers and clinicians. American Heart […]

  Graffiti Alley Take Over for World Stroke Day is a unique awareness campaign that was developed by the American Heart Association’s Baltimore team in 2016. This takeover event is aimed at raising awareness of the No. 2 killer worldwide – stroke. This year, community partners Johns Hopkins Hospital and Live Chair were on hand to provide blood […]

We are thrilled to introduce the 2019 EmPOWERED to Serve National Business Accelerator grant recipients!  The October 17th event was hosted in Washington, D.C. at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The top nine candidates presented their innovative concepts and ideas in a shark-tank style program at the event for a chance to […]

Baltimore Pride is one of the oldest pride celebrations in the country, celebrating 44 years this year. The American Heart Association of Greater Maryland was proud to participate in the festivities this year. Our mission at the AHA is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We strive to save and improve the lives of all […]

The American Heart Association (AHA) is happy to announce that Redonda Miller, M.D., President of The Johns Hopkins Hospital, has been named chair of the 2019 Greater Maryland Heart Walk. Dr. Miller is the president of The Johns Hopkins Hospital, the 11th president and the first woman to hold the position in The Johns Hopkins Hospital’s 127-year […]

The Maryland Tobacco Free Coalition which includes the American Heart Association (AHA), American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN),  American Lung Association (ALA), Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, and Preventing Tobacco Addiction Foundation/Tobacco 21 are pleased to announce that Governor Hogan has signed HB 1169 legislation raising the […]

Howard County Executive Significantly Increases County Bike Funding, Paving Way for More Progress on Complete Streets Joint Statement on Proposed FY 2020 County Budget The Horizon Foundation, Bicycling Advocates of Howard County and American Heart Association issued the following joint statement in response to the county executive’s proposed FY 2020 […]

On Monday, March 11, 2019, the Simple Cooking with Heart Baltimore Kitchen re-opened in their new space at the UA House at Fayette operated by Living Classrooms. Our mission at the Simple Cooking with Heart Kitchen is to teach our Baltimore neighbors how to prepare simple, delicious and inexpensive meals at home so they can enjoy the benefits of eating […]

We met Baby Tessa and her family at our Baltimore Heart Ball on Saturday February 23, 2019. Tessa was born on February 5, 2018 with multiple heart defects: LTGA, VSD, ASD, Pulmonary Atresia, Aortic Stenosis and a Hypoplastic Right Coronary Artery. She has spent most of her life in the hospital. She was listed as Status 1A on the heart transplant list […]

Prince George’s County, MD- Following pressure by the American Heart Association and our national and state partners, on January 24, 2019 MGM Resorts withdrew their application to the Prince George’s County, Maryland Planning Department for a “special exception” to open a cigar lounge at their National Harbor venue. MGM previously had submitted a […]

Community environments play an important role in health outcomes. People living just 5 miles apart can in some cases have a difference in life expectancy of more than 20 years due to factors such as economic stability, education, societal influences and health care.  Through the American Heart Association’s 2019 EmPOWERED to Serve Urban Health […]

February 7 – February 14 is recognized annually as CHD Awareness Week. Congenital Heart Defects are the most common birth defects, nearly 40,000 babies are born each year in the U.S. with a CHD. Carter Bley was 1:100 babies born with a congenital heart defect. Carter was born with transposition of the great arteries with a ventricular septal defect and […]

On the first Friday of every February, which is designated as American Heart Month, the nation comes together,igniting a wave of red from coast to coast. From landmarks to news anchors and neighborhoods to online communities; this annual groundswell unites millions of people for a common goal: the eradication of heart disease and stroke. Baseball teams […]

Coach Dabo Swinney took home the title of the college football Coach of the Year at the American Heart Association’s 33rd annual Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards presented by Marathon Oil Corporation Wednesday. Swinney is the first coach in the Bryant Awards history to win the award three times. The first to also win the award in consecutive years—2015 and […]

The City of Baltimore’s Complete Streets Bill became a law on December 6. This legislation is the most progressive, equity-focused Complete Streets ordinance in the country. Councilman Ryan Dorsey and the Baltimore Complete Streets Coalition introduced the Complete Streets Ordinance in July 2017 to increase safety and mobility and help curb reckless […]

If you are called on to give CPR in an emergency, you will most likely be trying to save the life of someone you love: a child, a spouse, a parent or a friend. About 70% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen at home and as one study reports, the holiday season is prime time for them to occur as cardiac arrest deaths are 33% higher in December and […]

The Empowered To Serve Urban Health Accelerator expands the work of American Heart Association in local communities as we seek to address social issues impacting the ability of individuals to attain the healthiest life possible. The Barbara Houston Urban Health Accelerator HBCU Legacy Grants: Made possible through the support of Mr. John Houston, III, […]

Congenital Heart Defects (CHD), problems with the heart’s structure that are present at birth, are the most common birth defects in the United States and the number one cause of infant deaths. Nearly 40,000 babies are born each year with a CHD. In 1965, Baltimore’s Tony Foreman was 1 in 100 babies born with a CHD and is one of the nearly 2 million […]

Even though stroke is the number 2 killer worldwide, 80% of strokes are preventable by knowing the warning signs and getting immediate help.  As more and more people are learning the warning signs, we are seeing and increase in survival rates.  As the third leading cause of death in Baltimore, our local American Heart Association – Baltimore team […]

There are discrepancies between black and white neighborhoods in responses to cardiac arrest. People who live in predominantly black communities are less likely to get CPR or defibrillation from a bystander, and that means African-Americans have a worse survival rate when it comes to cardiac arrest. The American Heart Association estimates that more […]

We are excited to begin highlighting resources for improving clinical care around blood pressure and cholesterol from around our networks each month.  Continue to check back for more updates and the latest news.   Action Needed: Submit Comments by 11/7 We must show the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that the medical community […]

We are pleased to introduce the 2018 EmPOWERED to Serve Urban Health Accelerator grant recipients! Hosted in Baltimore, MD at the Reginal Lewis Museum the Urban Health Accelerator brought together entrepreneurs from around the country to present their business models to a panel of judges including, Sidra Smith, Film Producer, Brian White, Executive […]

Imagine a healthier community for all, where heart diseases and stroke are no longer our leading killers, and every member of every community is able to achieve well-being supported by the places they live, learn, work, play, pray and heal. At the American Heart Association, we are dedicated to promoting health and well-being for all and have made it […]

The Watkins-Saunders Award recognizes outstanding commitment to overcoming health and community disparities in the state of Maryland. The 2019 recipient(s) will be honored at the American Heart Association’s Baltimore Heart Ball to be held on February 23, 2019, where the awardee(s) will be presented with an engraved award.  You may submit your […]

The American Heart Association is happy to announce that Brian M. White, Executive Vice President of LifeBridge Health, has been named chair of the 2018 Greater Maryland Region Heart Walk. The event will take place on October 13, 2018 at Camden Yards. White is an Executive Vice President at LifeBridge Health, the fourth largest health system in […]

The American Heart Association, the world’s leading voluntary health organization devoted to fighting cardiovascular disease and stroke, has enlisted the support of corporations in raising funds for the cause. When consumers visit Walgreens from June 15 – June 30, they will have the opportunity to give to the American Heart Association via the Life Is […]

The American Heart Association is celebrating LGBTQ Pride month this June by sharing resources and participating in different events across the country. Teri Arnold, Marketing and Communications Director for the Hampton Roads, Virginia region and Communications Officer for AHA’s Hearts With Pride Employee Resource Group, recently told her heart attack […]

About 103 million adults (nearly half) in the United States have high blood pressure. Research shows that high blood pressure is a contributing factor to major health conditions including heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, and other health concerns. Research also shows that 45.9% of those with high blood pressure are not controlled, […]

National CPR and AED Awareness Week – June 1– 7, 2018 – aims to raise awareness and increase the number of people who perform CPR in cardiac arrest emergencies. Each year, more than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States. About 90 percent of people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests die. When a person has a cardiac […]