The American Heart Association (AHA) has recognized more than 3,000 health care organizations across the United States for their dedication to improving outcomes for patients with cardiovascular disease and stroke through its Get With The Guidelines quality improvement programs. This recognition underscores the critical role that evidence-based, coordinated care plays in addressing the nation's leading cause of death.
According to the AHA's 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics, cardiovascular disease remains the top killer in the U.S. The Get With The Guidelines programs assist health care teams in applying the latest scientific evidence to treatment decisions, ensuring that patients receive timely and consistent care. Awards are given in several clinical areas, including stroke, heart failure, heart attack, cardiac arrest, Type 2 diabetes, and atrial fibrillation, with recognition levels ranging from Bronze to Gold Plus based on performance and duration of achievement.
In 2026, the AHA introduced its Commitment to Quality award, which highlights organizations that demonstrate high performance across at least three clinical areas. This year, 222 hospitals received this distinction, up from 158 in the inaugural year. "Improving outcomes for cardiovascular disease takes coordinated, high-quality care across the entire continuum," said Karen Joynt-Maddox, M.D., MPH, volunteer chair of the AHA's Quality Oversight Committee and associate professor at Washington University School of Medicine. "The organizations recognized this year are applying the latest science, strengthening systems of care, and working together to ensure more patients receive the right treatment at the right time, every time."
Beyond the Get With The Guidelines awards, the AHA also recognized 624 agencies with Mission: Lifeline EMS awards for their rapid, research-based care for patients experiencing the most severe heart attacks and strokes. Additionally, 47 sites received Mission: Lifeline Regional recognition for their commitment to collaborating with referring and receiving hospitals and EMS to establish a system of care based on the most current guidelines. The Mission: Lifeline program aims to reduce barriers to prompt treatment, from the moment 911 is called through hospital discharge.
This year also marks the debut of the Target: Aortic Stenosis Honor Roll, an initiative to improve detection and treatment of aortic stenosis, a common and often underdiagnosed heart valve disease that affects more than 1.7 million Americans over age 65. Forty-one organizations received this recognition, which is sponsored nationally by Edwards Lifesciences. Untreated aortic stenosis can significantly impact survival and quality of life, making early detection and guideline-directed treatment crucial.
Studies show that following guideline-directed care can help patients recover faster, reduce complications, and lower the risk of hospital readmission. The growing number of recognized organizations reflects a nationwide trend among health care teams to standardize care, reduce variation, and improve patient outcomes. For the full list of recipients, visit U.S. News & World Report. To learn more about the AHA's quality improvement efforts, visit heart.org/quality.
