The American Heart Association has recognized more than 3,000 health care organizations nationwide for their commitment to improving outcomes for patients with heart disease, stroke, and related conditions through its Get With The Guidelines quality improvement programs. This recognition underscores the critical role of evidence-based, coordinated care in combating cardiovascular disease, which remains the leading cause of death in the United States, according to the association's 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics.
Get With The Guidelines programs assist health care teams in applying the latest scientific evidence to treatment decisions, ensuring that care is timely, consistent, and aligned with proven standards. Awards span clinical areas such as stroke, heart failure, heart attack, cardiac arrest, Type 2 diabetes, and atrial fibrillation, with recognition levels from Bronze to Gold Plus based on performance and duration. This year, 222 hospitals received the Commitment to Quality award, up from 158 in its inaugural year, highlighting organizations that demonstrate high performance across at least three clinical areas.
"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 American Heart Association's Quality Oversight Committee. "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."
In addition to the Get With The Guidelines awards, 624 agencies received Mission: Lifeline EMS awards for providing rapid, research-based care to patients experiencing severe heart attacks and strokes. Forty-seven sites received Mission: Lifeline Regional recognition for collaborating with referring and receiving hospitals and EMS to establish systems of care based on up-to-date guidelines. The Mission: Lifeline program aims to reduce barriers to prompt treatment, from the 911 call through hospital discharge.
This year also introduces the Target: Aortic Stenosis Honor Roll, an initiative to improve detection and treatment of aortic stenosis, a common and often underdiagnosed heart valve disease affecting more than 1.7 million Americans over 65. Without appropriate treatment, aortic stenosis can significantly impact survival and quality of life. Forty-one organizations received this recognition, with Edwards Lifesciences serving as the national sponsor.
Studies show that following guideline-directed care can help patients recover faster, reduce complications, and lower readmission rates. The growing number of recognized organizations indicates a nationwide momentum among health care teams to standardize care and improve patient outcomes. For a full list of recipients, visit U.S. News & World Report. Learn more about the American Heart Association's quality improvement efforts at heart.org/quality.
