Aha

• Healthy Living • • • • • • • • • Health Topics • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Professionals • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • About Us • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Get Involved • • • • • • • • Ways To Give • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CPR • • • • • • • • • • • The six cardiologists who founded the American Heart Association in 1924 would be amazed. From humble beginnings, the AHA has grown into the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. A shared focus on cardiovascular health unites our more than 35 million volunteers and supporters as well as our more than 2,900 employees. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer worldwide, and stroke ranks second globally. Even when those conditions don’t result in death, they cause disability and diminish quality of life. We want to see a world free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Our size and scope let us have real impact. The AHA has invested more than $5 billion in research, making us the largest not-for-profit funding source for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease research next to the federal government.

A healthy diet and lifestyle are the keys to preventing and managing cardiovascular disease. It’s not as hard as you may think! Remember, it's the overall pattern of yourchoicesthat counts. Make the simple steps below part of your life for long-term benefits to your health and your heart. Use up at least as many calories as you take in. • Start by knowing how many calories you should be eating and drinking to maintain your weight. Nutrition and calorie information on food labels is typically based on a 2,000 calorie per day diet. You may need fewer or more calories depending on several factors including age, gender, and level of physical activity. • Increase the amount and intensity of your physical activity to burn more calories. • Aim for at least Regular physical activity can help you maintain your weight, keep off weight that you lose and reach physical and cardiovascular fitness. If it’s hard to schedule regular exercise, look for ways to build short bursts of activity into your daily routine such as parking farther away and taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Ideally, your activity should be spread throughout the week. Eat an overall healthy dietary pattern that emphasizes: • a wide variety of • whole grains and products made up mostly of • • liquidnon-tropical vegetable • minimally • minimized intake of • foods prepared with little or no • limited or preferably no alcohol intake Apply this guidance wherever food is prepared or consumed. It is possible to foll...

Our organization was founded by cardiologists. To this day, we strive to support professionals in the fight against cardiovascular disease and stroke. You can rely on the American Heart Association for credible science, guidelines and statements and a wealth of resources. Join us and make a difference. AHA Professional Members enjoy many unique benefits, including opportunities to network with other healthcare professionals and scientists. You can