American Heart/Stroke Association

In Idaho, heart disease is the leading cause of mortality, responsible for 42% of annual deaths, while stroke ranks as the primary cause of severe disability and the third leading cause of death. The American Heart Association is dedicated to decreasing the incidence of death and disability linked to heart disease and stroke. This condition affects individuals regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity. More infants are born with congenital heart defects than any other type of defect, and since 1984, more women have succumbed to cardiovascular disease than men. Additionally, the Hispanic population experiences a significantly higher prevalence of cardiovascular issues compared to the general populace. To combat these health challenges, the American Heart Association: provides training in basic and advanced CPR to hundreds of Idaho residents annually; operates a 24-hour hotline for inquiries and distributes informational brochures; maintains a website for public and medical professional access; produces numerous brochures for the public and journals for healthcare providers; advocates for supportive health policies; runs community initiatives like Operation Heartbeat, Operation Stroke, Heart at Work, and Jump Rope for Heart; commits at least 30% of its income to research, making it the largest source of funding for cardiovascular research outside the federal government, with some research conducted in Idaho; and organizes international conferences for healthcare professionals. Brochures are available in Spanish as well.