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American Heart Association, Inc.
Also Known As: AHA
7272 Greenville Avenue Dallas, TX 75231

GENERAL INFORMATION

Who We Are

The American Heart Association works to reduce disability and save lives from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by funding research, and public and professional education programs.

• This organization is a 501(c)(3) Public Charity .
• This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.
• Financial information in this report is derived from the organization's June 30, 2008 Form 990.
• Additional narrative information in this report was last supplied by the organization on February 26, 2002.
• It makes its audited financial statements available to the public upon request.
• Contributions are deductible, as provided by law.

How to Help

This organization is seeking funds from contributions and grants. These funds will be used for unrestricted operating expenses and special projects.

Location(s) Served

• National

NTEE Code

• G43—Heart and Circulatory System

Chief Executive

National President Cass Wheeler

Chief Executive Profile

M. Cass Wheeler became CEO of the American Heart Association in October 1997, having served in various executive positions since 1973. He currently serves on the boards of the National Health Council, Partnership for Prevention, National Center for Tobacco-Free Kids, on the Board of Advisors of Discovery Health Media, Inc. and University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health, and on the Citizens Advisory Council for the Campaign for Medical Research.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MISSION AND PROGRAMS

Mission

The American Heart Association's mission is to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular disease and stroke. The association was founded in 1924 and today is the nation's largest national voluntary health agency devoted to defeating heart disease and stroke, which together claim about 950,000 lives each year and rank as our nation's No. 1 and No. 3 killers. To prevent, treat and ultimately defeat these diseases, the association funds research, creates and implements professional and public education programs focusing on improving emergency care and reducing risk factors, holds community service activities and engages in advocacy efforts to safeguard American's health.

Programs

Operation Heartbeat-Chain of Survival Operation Heartbeat is a national, community-based initiative the American Heart Association has developed to improve the national sudden cardiac arrest survival rate. Of all people who suffer sudden cardiac arrest outside a hospital, only 5 percent survive. More than 600 Americans die every day from sudden cardiac arrest, amounting to a staggering annual death toll of 220,000. Operation Heartbeat focuses on a sequence of four actions that the American Heart Association calls the chain of survival, a proven method for improving sudden cardiac arrest survival. These actions include 1) Early Access, calling 9-1-1 to access Emergency Medical Services (EMS); 2) Early CPR; 3) Early Defibrillation; and 4) Early Advanced Care. Operation Heartbeat strengthens the chain of survival by mobilizing local communities and advocating that programs are implemented to strengthen each link of the chain. Operation Stroke is a community-based program of the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association – is implemented by a coalition of volunteer healthcare professionals (dispatchers, emergency transport drivers, paramedics, fire and police officers, emergency room physicians, nurses, neurologists, neurosurgeons and many others) and civic leaders. The goal of Operation Stroke is to reduce the number of people who die or become permanently disabled by stroke. The American Stroke Association is doing this by: increasing public awareness of stroke warning signs; increasing the healthcare community’s ability to transport stroke patients; increasing the number of stroke patients who arrive at the hospital in time to receive treatment; and providing access to appropriate acute care for stroke patients across America. Get With The Guidelines Get With The GuidelinesSM is a new hospital discharge program that will help reduce the risk of recurrent heart attacks and strokes in patients with coronary and other vascular diseases. The Get With The GuidelinesSM program works by mobilizing teams in acute-care hospitals to implement the American Heart Association’s secondary prevention guidelines for patients with coronary and other vascular diseases. The program advocates using quality-improvement measures such as care maps, discharge protocols, standing orders and measurement tools based on the secondary prevention guidelines, which are also endorsed by the American College of Cardiology. The guidelines address these risk factors: smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, physical inactivity, obesity, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, alcohol and drug abuse. MyHeartWatch.org MyHeartWatch.org is a free online behavioral modification program that can help you lose weight, feel better, improve your health and reduce your risk for coronary heart disease and stroke. The MyHeartWatch.org interactive health management program can help, offering features such as Ask An Expert, Recipes, Health Planners including weight and nutrition calculators, exercise diaries and more. Visit this new free “caring community for preventing heart attack and stroke” at www.myheartwatch.org. Additional American Heart Association programs that help people reduce their cardiovascular and stroke risk includes: women and heart disease, cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart and stroke risk factors and warning signs, physical fitness, nutrition and CPR training for adults and school children. Special Events American Heart Walk The American Heart Walk is the premier fundraising event for the American Heart Association, with a goal to raise $75 million in the next year for cardiovascular disease and stroke research and educational programs. Over 650,000 walkers will participate non-competitively in more than 850 events nationally in the coming months. Walking distances vary, although a majority of the walk routes are between 3K and 5K. The American Heart Walk is a fun, heart-healthy activity that the whole family can enjoy, while raising critical funds for research and education. The American Heart Walk celebrates survivors and honors the memory of those inflicted by this country’s No.1 and No. 3 killers---heart disease and stroke. Train To End Stroke American Stroke Association’s Train To End Stroke Marathon Training Program and Fundraiser is for experienced and novice runners and walkers, and everyone in-between. Participants train for four months with an experienced coach to learn how to run or walk a full or half marathon, while raising funds for stroke education and research. It’s about reaching personal fitness milestones and becoming a champion for yourself and others who have experienced a stroke. Jump Rope For Heart Jump Rope For Heart teaches rope-jumping skills that are fun. It promotes the value of physical activity to students while they participate in a team or cooperative effort. The program increases understanding of the seriousness of heart disease and stroke and the lifelong health benefits of physical activity and a heart-healthy lifestyle. While teaching students to set and achieve goals, they discover that they can make a difference. Jump Rope For Heart builds character through the spirit of volunteerism and community service. Five million elementary school children in 20,000 schools nationwide participated last year in the Jump Rope For Heart program. Other American Heart Association special event programs include ‘black-tie’ galas held in local communities and Hoops for Heart, a program for junior high students that teaches basketball skills and how to live a heart-healthy life.

GOALS AND RESULTS

Accomplishments for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2006

1. Funded $133.5 million in cardiovascular research- bringing the American Heart Association's 10-year total research investment to over $1 billion.
2. Through advocacy efforts, helped pass the Cardiac Arrest Survival Act to increase the availability and use of automated external defibrillators.
3. Updated the American Heart Association Dietary Guidelines to incorporate the latest findings from the nutritional science about healthful eating.

Objectives for Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2006

1. To educate and support a significant number of the 50+ million people with more than one heart disease risk factor.
2. Use benchmarks to maximize the potential and success of our public and professional education programs, community service programs and research.
3. Increase public awareness about stroke warning signs and the need for quick action and proper treatment when they occur.

Self Assessment

The American Heart Association monitors its effectiveness through community response and involvement.

FINANCIAL DATA

Revenues and Expenses: Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2008

Balance Sheet: Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2008

Note: The balance sheet gives a snapshot of the financial health of an organization at a particular point in time. An organization's total assets should generally exceed its total liabilities, or it cannot long survive, but the types of assets and liabilities also must be considered. For instance, an organization's current assets (cash, receivables, securities, etc.) should be sufficient to cover its current liabilities (payables, deferred revenue, current year loan and note payments). Otherwise, the organization may face solvency problems. On the other hand, an organization whose cash and equivalents greatly exceed its current liabilities might not be putting its money to best use.

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