American Heart Association

Conoce los dos pasos de RCP solo con las manos y salva una vida. Si ves que un adolescente o un adulto sufre un colapso súbito, llama al 911 y comprime con fuerza y rapidez el centro del tórax. “Cairo” de Karol G tiene el ritmo adecuado para compresiones de pecho. #NationofLifesavers

You don’t have to be a pro athlete to play a little ball. Get out, move a little and have fun.

Be a hero in your community by learning Hands-Only CPR. If you see a teen or adult collapse, remember the two steps of Hands-Only CPR: Call 911 and push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of "La Rebelión” by Joe Arroyo. #NationofLifesavers

It’s normal to experience stress at times. Eating well, getting enough sleep, and being active can help. But if your “stressed out” feeling remains constant, or chronic, it can affect your physical and mental health. Here's what to know about chronic stress.

Congratulations to all of our #AHA25 awardees! Your work is changing the future of health for everyone, everywhere. We can’t wait to celebrate you at Scientific Sessions! 👏 👏

Boxer Evan Holyfield, the son of former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield, prided himself on being able to outwork his competition. But lately, something was off. He’d felt nauseous, tired easily and his heart would race. When he woke up one morning feeling like someone was standing on his chest, his mom and coach sent him to urgent care. Evan thought it was anxiety about his next fight, but the doctor insisted on an electrocardiogram, a test that examines the heart’s electrical signals. “I’m 25 years old. I'm a professional athlete,” Evan said. “I'm eating the right things, I train two or three times a day, I just won a fight three weeks ago. Heart problems are the last thing I could have.” But after seeing the results, Evan was rushed to an emergency room. More tests revealed that he had a congenital heart defect in which the coronary artery that supplies blood to the heart is abnormally shaped. “My doctor told me that if I went into that next fight, I could have died because of how hard I was pushing myself,” he said. A heart condition had interrupted his father’s boxing career in 1994 at age 31. Evan feared he was facing the same fate. But Evan’s condition could be corrected with open heart surgery, and he could fight again. The doctor also put a titanium plate in Evan’s chest to better protect his heart from the impact of punches. Then came one of Evan’s toughest fights yet: recovery. “The mental part of recovery was so hard,” he said. “I’d gone from being a 25-year-old professional athlete to feeling like I could barely put my shirt on or walk all the way to the bathroom.” He went to cardiac rehabilitation three times a week. He asked his friends and family for emotional support. And he brought home a dog, Bouba, a doodle who helped give him purpose and comfort. “I’ve always been impressed by his boxing and athletic strength,” said Toi Irvin, his mom. “But all of that is nothing compared to the emotional strength and resilience that this young man showed through his recovery.” Evan – who goes by the nickname “Yung Holy” – didn’t fight from June 2023 until this past July. He won his first bout, a first-round knockout. He fought again in August – and won. “I know I have more to give,” he said, “and I want to see what I can do with a good heart.”

High blood pressure can impact anyone — new parents, entrepreneurs, musicians, and caregivers alike. But real stories show it’s possible to take charge, lower your numbers, and protect your heart. These real-life stories might remind you of a loved one battling the effects of high blood pressure. At the American Heart Association, we provide the tools people need to prevent, treat, and beat the effects of high blood pressure. Together, we can help your loved ones live longer, healthier lives. ❤️ Create a fundraiser in honor of a loved one who's battled the effects of high blood pressure: ahatribute.funraise.org 👉 Or donate to help save the hearts of friends and family: spr.ly/6008N4ma0

The next adventure is just a text message away. Will you be ready to say yes? If you have doubts, then maybe it’s time to think about adding some healthy habits.

We were honored to spotlight our Health Care by Food (HCXF) initiative at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, DC—a powerful gathering of more than 12,000 lawmakers, policymakers and advocates committed to advancing equitable health. Huge thanks to the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation for partnering with us in our “food is medicine” work and providing a national platform to elevate the conversation around nutrition, chronic disease and community-driven solutions. HCXF Scientific Lead Kevin Volpp, MD, PhD, FAHA and The Rockefeller Foundation’s Elizabeth Yee co-presented “What is Food is Medicine? How healthy food through health care can address chronic disease,” moderated by HCXF National Executive Director Lisa D. Sanders. Their insights sparked meaningful dialogue on how policy and innovation can transform health outcomes. In two heartfelt fireside chats, members of Health Care by Food’s advisory groups shared how food is medicine programs are changing lives through collaboration with researchers, community organizations and health care professionals. As proud sponsors of the culinary stage, we showcased the healing power of food in action. Chef Derrick Purcell prepared four heart-healthy recipes from a specially curated Health Care by Food cookbook, proving that nutritious meals can be both delicious and life-changing. Comedians Buddy Lewis and Kym Whitley brought the flavor and the fun, engaging audiences with laughter, warmth and purpose. Check out some of our favorite images from the event 👇

Ellie Breech was spending her winter break from the University of Pittsburgh at home when her dad, Ed, an ER nurse, went into cardiac arrest. "Call 911!" her mom, Maggie, yelled from the basement where Ed’s heart had stopped. Ellie placed the call then ran downstairs. Ed's face was turning blue. Ellie moved him to the floor and started CPR. She kept it up for nine minutes. EMTs arrived and took Ed to the same ER where he'd been working only hours earlier. To give his heart and lungs time to heal, doctors put him on an ECMO, machine, which takes over the job of the heart and lungs, oxygenating blood and moving it through the body. He was on the machine for five days. Five days after that, his breathing tube came out. As the sedatives started to wear off, he whispered to Ellie: "Thank you for saving my life.” "Immediate CPR is what gave my dad the best chance of survival, and the reason he probably doesn't have a brain injury today," Ellie said, "It was the great training I had." As a goalie on Pittsburgh’s women’s soccer team, Ellie had been trained in CPR and how to use an AED. All the school’s student athletes were after Damar Hamlin – a Pitt alum – had a cardiac arrest during an NFL game. Ellie had been studying engineering, but now she wants to work in medicine. She jokes with Ed that he didn't have to have a medical emergency to get her to pursue the same field as him. She's figuring out what type of role might suit her best. "I don't think I would have been able to save my dad's life if he hadn't shared how he used it to save so many others," Ellie said. "He's taught me to be very, very fearless." You can be a lifesaver too by learning the two steps of Hands-Only CPR. There's no time like today, #WorldRestartAHeart Day. If you see a teen or adult collapse, call 911 and push hard and fast in the center of the chest. #NationofLifesavers