Philadelphia

June 1-7 each year is National CPR Awareness Week, spotlighting how lives can be saved if more Americans know CPR.  Dr. Richard L. Snyder, Executive Vice President of Facilitated Health Networks for Independence Blue Cross, has been a long-time champion and advocate of CPR & AED awareness, leading a citywide initiative, CPR Ready Coalition, in […]

These four employees committed to a lifestyle change utilizing the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 and were selected by a committee at the American Heart Association and NFI.  Life’s Essential 8 are the key measures for improving and maintaining cardiovascular health, as defined by the American Heart Association. Better cardiovascular […]

With nearly 3 out of 4 cardiac arrests outside of the hospital occurring in homes, knowing how to perform CPR is critically important[1]. CPR, especially if performed immediately, could double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival[2]. That is why the American Heart Association, the worldwide leader in resuscitation science and […]

The American Heart Association, the largest voluntary health organization fighting cardiovascular diseases, announces Paul J. Mather, MD, as the 2023 recipient of the Edward. S. Cooper, MD Award. The award is named for Dr. Edward S. Cooper, a world-renowned physician and a pioneer in hypertension and stroke and the first African American to serve as […]

Life’s Essential 8 are the key measures for improving and maintaining cardiovascular health, as defined by the American Heart Association. Better cardiovascular health helps lower the risk for heart disease, stroke, and other major health problems. In 2022 the American Heart Association put out a Presidential Advisory releasing research on Life’s […]

On February 8, 2023, local leaders come together to celebrate the accomplishments of Dr. Richard Snyder at Penn Medicine’s Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine’s CPR Kiosk. Dr. Snyder received the Leadership Legacy Award from the American Heart Association’s Eastern States Region, an award given to only a select few. Dr. Snyder has volunteered with […]

Go Red for Women in Philadelphia is proud to announce that Shelly Buck and Barbara Wadsworth, both from Main Line Health, the city’s Go Red signature sponsor, will Co-Chair this year’s campaign.  In their roles, Buck and Wadsworth will lead the 2022-23 fundraising efforts for Go Red, which encourages women to take charge of their heart health and […]

The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) annual indoor cycling “CycleNation” event was held at Subaru Park in Chester, PA on Thursday, July 28th. The goal of the event was to encourage Philadelphia and surrounding counties residents to use cycling to improve heart and brain health, while raising funds to continue the […]

The American Heart Association’s latest health equity research network will focus on identifying causes and finding solutions to improve outcomes among people who are more likely to experience pregnancy complications due to poor heart health  More than one in four pregnancy-related deaths (26.5%) in the U.S. are tied to poor heart health, especially […]

Record high temperatures are bringing summer heat early this year around much of the U.S., and the American Heart Association, a global force for longer, healthier lives for all, is urging people to take extra steps to protect their hearts. Precautions are especially important for older adults and people with high blood pressure, obesity or a history […]

WHO:             American Heart Association, Sanctuary Farms, University of Pennsylvania and Project HOME Healthcare Services   WHAT:              North Philadelphia Blood Pressure Screening, Education and Referral Initiative Kick Off   Throughout the summer, residents of North Philadelphia are invited to participated in this free community […]

Many schools in Philadelphia are faced with lead contamination in their water lines. An environmental report has found that potentially exposing tens of thousands of students to toxins can cause learning and behavioral issues and health problems, including damage to internal organs.  The American Heart Association understands the School District of […]

Media Advisory  For Immediate Release  6/4/22                                                                                   Virtual Award Show for American Heart Association   What:  The American Heart Association will recognize some of its brightest stars and those who have made an impact for the AHA community during the annual National […]

Philadelphia, PA – June 4, 2022 – The American Heart Association believes, structural racism and economic status are a key cause of poor health which can lead to premature death from heart disease and stroke. The association seeks to put an end to this by funding various initiatives that provide assistance to communities that are greatly affected. They […]

Springfield Township Middle School students waited nearly three years to bring back its annual dodgeball tournament. Greg Cannon and students held a presentation ceremony to present close to $4,000 to the American Heart Association after holding a dodgeball tournament fundraiser held on April 29th. The event was coordinated by teacher, Greg Cannon and […]

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 […]

“Be prepared, not scared” is an excellent motto to say throughout your day-to-day life. It is especially true when it comes to knowing how to perform CPR. In the US alone, almost 500,000 people die of cardiac arrest. Sadly, studies also suggest that only less than half of those who suffer receive CPR assistance from a bystander. CPR or Cardiopulmonary […]

High blood pressure (also referred to as HBP, or hypertension) is when your blood pressure (BP), the force of blood flowing through your blood vessels, is consistently too high. Nearly half of adults in the United States (47%, or 116 million) have hypertension, defined as a systolic blood pressure greater than 130 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure […]

March 7, 2022 – Southern NJ— The American Heart Association is proud to announce that the Chair for the 2022 Southern NJ Go Red For Women campaign will be Dr. Renée Bullock-Palmer, Director of Women’s Heart Center and Non-Invasive Cardiac Imaging for Deborah Heart and Lung Center. Go Red encourages every woman to take charge of her heart health and […]

Linda Jara was 42 years old in 2014 when she went into major heart failure.  It was Christmas eve in 2014 and Linda had been suffering from a belligerent sinus infection.  As a teacher typically does, she pushed on – not wanting to interrupt the instruction of her students or the routine of daily life.    But on Christmas Eve her breathing just became […]

Jeff Moyer, a Spring-Ford Area School District fifth and sixth grade Health and Physical Education teacher, accepted an award from the American Heart Association for being a 2021 Top Fundraising School in Montgomery County, PA on behalf of Spring-Ford’s fifth and sixth grade school community. For more than 25 years, Moyer has organized the annual Hoops […]

For Media Inquiries: Theresa Spencer: 267-997-3354; [email protected] For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721) heart.org and stroke.org   WHO: The American Heart Association Philadelphia team and Independence Visitor Center. WHAT: Signature red dress sculpture photo opp and Hands- Only CPR demonstration. In honor of National Wear […]

The American Heart Association in Philadelphia Goes Red for Heart Month  Wear Red and Join the Fight Against Heart Disease & Stroke on February 4, 2022.    Philadelphia, PA, February 2022 – The American Heart Association is asking for the public’s support this February by going red and giving back to participate in American Heart Month, which […]

 As pretty as new-fallen snow appears, shoveling sidewalks and driveways can be deadly. According to the American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, many people may face an increased risk of a heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest after shoveling heavy snow. The heart-health hazards […]

Brown’s Super Stores, Oak Street Health, and AHA Collaborate to establish a Community-based Blood Pressure Screening, Education, and Referral Initiative. Hypertension is the leading cause of heart disease and stroke, which kill more Philadelphians than any other disease, accounting for 3,417 deaths in 2019. Philadelphia’s health […]

Since 1990, Philadelphia FIGHT Community Health Centers has been providing culturally competent comprehensive primary care, and state-of-the-art HIV primary care to low-income members of the community. Additionally, Philadelphia FIGHT provides research, consumer education, advocacy, social services, and outreach to people living with HIV and those who […]

 Click here –  Heart Month 2022 Reclaim your Rhythm – Final February marks the start of Heart Month and Friday; February 4th is National Wear Red Day. Wearing RED is not just for people, it’s for offices, homes, buildings, bridges, parks, and landmarks too! This year you can help us in the fight against heart disease in women and men by […]

The American Heart Association suggests ways to prepare for heart healthy holidays to avoid heart attacks Philadelphia, December 8, 2021 — Scientific research over time has shown an uptick in cardiac events during the winter holiday season, and more people die from heart attacks between December 25th and January 1st  than at any other time of the year. […]

Transforming the way communities are designed makes it more likely that people across the U.S. will engage in activities such as walking, biking, rolling and using public transportation, according to two new reports published today in the American Heart Association’s flagship journal Circulation.  The advisory finds that by connecting activity-friendly […]

Scott Allen knows his family health history, and it is his life’s guiding principal! As a young child, Scott grew up in a house where eating a low cholesterol diet was a priority. His father had a history of heart disease, and his mother did everything she could to keep him and her children well. Scott never ate a candy bar and didn’t even realize that […]

For Media Inquiries: Theresa Spencer: 267-997-3354; [email protected] For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721) heart.org and stroke.org   This year’s American Heart Association Heart Walk will take place on Saturday, Nov. 6, at Citizens Bank Park. Please follow our Philadelphia Heart Walk Facebook page to stay up to date on […]

The American Heart Association (AHA)will present its 2021 Research Achievement Award to Daniel J. Rader, M.D., FAHA, of the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. He will receive the award during the Presidential Session on Sunday, Nov. 14 at the Association’s Scientific Sessions 2021. The meeting will be fully virtual, […]

  On October 23, 2021, the Fall Southern New Jersey Heart Walk took place at the Riverwinds Community Center in West Deptford, NJ. This was the first outdoor and in-person event since the beginning of the pandemic. Over 600 people and even a few pets attended the Heart Walk and raised over $100,000. Nicholas Scardino, VP of Truist Bank served as the […]

Philadelphia, PA. September 30, 2021 – The American Heart Association of Philadelphia hosted Hard Hats with Hearts, the organization’s first in-person event since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.  The event was held at Xfinity Live! in South Philadelphia, to raise awareness about heart disease and stroke, the number 1 and number 5 killers […]

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 […]

Philadelphia, July 22, 2021 — The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on ensuring longer, healthier lives for all, has named David Pacitti, President of Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc and Head of Americas at Siemens Healthineers as Heart Walk Chairman for the 2021 Philadelphia Heart Walk. In this role, […]

Grant will fund projects aimed at reducing racial disparities in breast and prostate cancer patients with a higher risk for cardiovascular disease July 19, 2021 Bonnie Ky, MD, MSCE PHILADELPHIA— The Cardio-Oncology Translational Center of Excellence at Penn Medicine has been awarded $2.9 million by the American Heart Association as part of a larger […]

Each year, The American Heart Association honors its extraordinary volunteers at the National Volunteer Awards.  This year, we are proud to recognize three local volunteers from the Philadelphia area who have served in leadership roles in our community over the years. Susan Croushore will receive the Morgan Stark Memorial Awad for her extraordinary […]

June 16th marks the fifth anniversary of the 13-4 vote to tax sweetened beverages in Philadelphia. This victory did not come easy, but it has paved the roadway for other cities to adopt a similar tax. Today we say thank you to the volunteers and community partners who helped make Philadelphia the first major American city to pass a sweetened beverage […]

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 […]

Imagine a community where healthy choices are equitable and accessible, where your ZIP code doesn’t determine your health. The AHA in Philadelphia partnered with Spanish Media AL DÍA to present Health Equity: No Matter Where You Live, a conversation about social determinants of health and access to quality care in Philadelphia.  The conversation will […]

  Michael Heller, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cozen O’Connor to be Honored at American Heart Association’s 64th Annual Philadelphia Heart Ball Heart Ball Set to Raise Millions of Dollars Towards Cardiac Research   PHILADELPHIA, PA – June 1, 2021 – The American Heart Association is excited to announce that Michael will […]

NFI, a leading supply chain provider, today announced a three-year relationship with the American Heart Association . In alignment with the core value of social responsibility, this work will improve the health and wellness of our communities and will support NFI employees across the country. “Our work with the AHA directly resonates with NFI, as heart […]

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 […]

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 […]

For the entire month of February, in honor of Black History Month, NBC will showcase essays about Black Americans who pioneered change in United States history during the Civil Rights Movement that led to nationwide desegregation.  Philadelphia’s own Dr. Edward S. Cooper, who was named the first Black president of the American Heart Association […]

The AHA in Philadelphia is pleased to announce the expansion of the Faces of Heart campaign with local philanthropists Stephanie & Matthew Austin, M.D.  With their gift of $120,000, the AHA is grateful to the Austin’s for their support of local survivors in their quest for living FEIRCE healthy lives!   As a heart survivor herself, Stephanie has […]

On Wednesday, February 3 at 1 p.m. ET/ 12 p.m. CT/ 10 a.m. PT, NFL PLAY 60 Kids Day will host an action packed, synchronous broadcast from the Super Bowl LV host city, Tampa Bay. During this broadcast, the NFL team with the winning NFL PLAY 60 exercise of the 2020-2021 season will be announced. Throughout January, kids were asked to view team exercise […]

 The American Heart Association in Philadelphia will recieve a $1 million gift from the Andréa W. and Kenneth C. Frazier Family Foundation to the Association’s Bernard J. Tyson Impact Fund. The Tyson Fund invests in evidence-based, community-driven entrepreneurial solutions that address social determinants of health. The contribution will be directed […]

Colleen Hanley, MD is a cardiac electrophysiologist at Lankenau Heart Institute.  Dr. Hanley graduated from Temple University School of Medicine. She completed a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in cardiovascular disease at Temple University Hospital, followed by a fellowship in cardiac electrophysiology at Lankenau Medical Center. Dr. […]

Jesse Shea is a former college athlete who at age 26 lived an active and healthy lifestyle. One morning in November 2019 while the Cape May, NJ resident was preparing for work on his boat, he began feeling strange. The last thing he suspected was stroke. Soon after, he had very little movement on the right side of his body and could not control the […]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Heart Association has teamed up with Philabundance, a food bank in Philadelphia, to meet the needs of students who require additional support. Since the pandemic has forced students out of the school environment, many are struggling with nutrition insecurity – a significant hardship for those who […]

Community activists, social entrepreneurs, and changemakers are among the list of top candidates for the 2020-21 EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator™. Included in the list of nine finalists is Philadelphia resident Kevin Dixon, who is a mentor at Rebel Ventures where he inspires high school students who pursue entrepreneurship.   Rebel Ventures is […]

The 2020 Philadelphia Heart Walk Digital Experience raised over an astounding $1.7M thanks to the relentless efforts and dedication of its participants. The American Heart Association Philadelphia is grateful for each team member and donor. We also greatly appreciate the leadership and fundraising efforts of our 2020 Heart Walk Chair, Dr. Richard […]

Dr. Deon Vigilance, chief of cardiothoracic surgery at Mercy Health System and president-elect of the American Heart Association Southeastern Pennsylvania board of directors, spoke with Lady B of Classix Philly 107.9 FM about the link between type 2 diabetes and heart disease and stroke. In 2018, the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes […]

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 […]

The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented need for access to health tools and resources across the nation. Many health systems are still without enough personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves, gowns, and eye protection to safeguard their workers from the deadly virus.  Independence Blue Cross and the American Heart Association […]

The phrase, “a long bike ride” took on a new meaning when Philadelphia CycleNation participant, David Feinman, and his team took off for an 1,100-mile, 10-day bike ride from Philadelphia to Florida. The ride concluded in Panama City with a self-supported Iron distance triathlon on October 31, which consisted of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, […]

Infor, a global leader in business cloud software specialized by industry, has committed to helping the American Heart Association raise funds and awareness to place up to 500 Infant CPR training kits across hospitals in the Mid-Atlantic region. The kits contain training materials to help families learn hands-only CPR and choking-relief skills from the […]

In Philadelphia, 1 in 5 residents are nutrition insecure, which has detrimental short- and long-term implications on health outcomes, including but not limited to hypertension, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. Exacerbated now by the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an unprecedented need for emergency food relief, especially in neighborhoods that already […]

CAULIPOWER’s donation will deliver 100,000 meals of fresh produce to over 4,500 at-risk families. These are families who are suffering great hardship caused by COVID-19. In addition, the monies will support the development of the AHA’s national Teaching Gardens program. Philadelphia, June 23, 2020 – CAULIPOWER®, makers of America’s #1 better-for-you […]

The month of June — June 16, to be exact — marks the fourth anniversary of the Philadelphia City Council voting 13-4 in favor of Mayor Jim Kenney’s proposal to tax sweetened beverages. This victory made Philadelphia the first major U.S. city to pass such a tax. Funding from the tax revenue supports the improvement of places where young children grow […]

Written in collaboration with Nicole Murphy, program coordinator for the Fashion Design Department at Jefferson University.  Each year, Thomas Jefferson University juniors majoring in fashion design partner with the American Heart Association Philadelphia to create red dresses for a Rock the Red Dress fashion show that’s held during their annual Go Red […]

Some people might rest on their laurels after helping get a citywide sugary beverage tax passed that led to sweeping health improvements. Not Dr. Paul Mather. For one thing, the Philadelphia cardiologist remains vigilant about the beverage industry’s efforts to overturn the 3-year-old tax, which research suggests cut adults’ monthly soda […]

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, […]

COVID-19 has exacerbated systemic challenges that contribute to inequitable health outcomes in Philadelphia.  During these difficult times, the American Heart Association continues its efforts to improve access to healthy foods and quality clinical care for Philadelphia residents as part of an overall strategy to address social influencers of health. […]

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 […]

COVID-19 has created an unprecedented need for emergency food relief and the American Heart Association Philadelphia is working with local community partners to quickly assess and address the needs of the city’s most vulnerable populations. While many food pantries have meal service support from food providers, many sites lack the infrastructure (i.e. […]

On Saturday, February 22, the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum was transformed into a special night of community and philanthropy for the 63rd Annual Philadelphia Heart Ball. This year, the Heart of Philadelphia honor was awarded to former Philadelphia Eagles safety and Pro Football Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins and his wife, Connie for their […]

February is Heart Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness of heart disease, the world’s leading cause of death.  Congenital heart defects are a form of heart disease and are the most common birth defect, affecting nearly 40,000 babies per year in the United States alone.  In honor of Heart Month, and in support of raising awareness towards […]

CPR saves lives. When administered immediately after cardiac arrest, a person’s chance of survival can double or triple. However, 70 percent of Americans may feel helpless to act during a cardiac emergency because they either do not know how to administer CPR or their training has significantly lapsed. Earlier this month, American Heart Association […]

Each February, #PhillyGoesRed to celebrate American Heart Month and raise awareness about the No. 1 killer of women – heart disease. Through the American Heart Association’s partnership with Philadelphia magazine, heart disease survivors, dedicated volunteers, relentless leaders and community advocates tell their inspiring stories through the pages of […]

 The Philadelphia Heart Ball is excited to announce that Brian and Connie Dawkins will receive the Heart of Philadelphia award at the 2020 Philadelphia Heart Ball, set for February 22 at the famed Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum.   This prestigious honor is given to leaders in our community who are performing important philanthropic duties, which […]

The American Heart Association currently funds nearly $11 Million in active grants right here in Philadelphia.  Each year the American Heart Association issues grants to early career researchers who are working to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular disease and stroke. This year, the American Heart Association Southeastern Pennsylvania […]

Dr. William Hite, Superintendent to the School District of Philadelphia offered a warm welcome to 100 ninth and tenth graders to the 2nd Annual STEM Goes Red conference in Philadelphia. Although women fill close to half of all the jobs in the U.S. economy, they hold less than 25% of jobs in science, technology, engineering & mathematics (STEM).  As […]

Although women fill close to half of all the jobs in the U.S. economy, they hold less than 25% of jobs in science, technology, engineering & mathematics (STEM).  The American Heart Association, a science-based organization, strives to make significant changes to these statistics by empowering more women to seek careers in the sciences. In order to […]

The American Heart Association Philadelphia is proud to recognize Councilmember Blondell Reynolds-Brown with the Lifetime Champion of Health Equity Award. Councilmember Reynolds-Brown is the first to receive this recognition from the American Heart Association’s Southeastern PA Board of Directors, and we are thrilled to be able to honor her legacy in […]

American Heart Association is proud to announce that Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP partner Sarah Bouchard will chair the 2020 Go Red for Women campaign in Philadelphia.  In her role, Bouchard will lead the 2020 fundraising efforts for Go Red, which encourages women to take charge of their heart health and combat the No. 1 and No. 5 killers of […]

“The American Heart Association would like to applaud Philadelphia City Council, and in particular Councilmember Reynolds Brown, for passing legislation that will require restaurants to make healthy beverages the default option for menu items designated for children,” stated Jacob Zychick, Community Advocacy Director in Philadelphia. […]