In a significant acknowledgment of healthcare quality, the American Heart Association (AHA) has recognized more than 3,000 hospitals and healthcare organizations nationwide for their dedication to improving outcomes for patients with cardiovascular disease and stroke. This recognition, announced on August 5, 2026, comes as cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, according to the AHA's 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics. The awards are part of the Get With The Guidelines quality improvement programs, which help healthcare teams apply the latest evidence-based science to treatment decisions, ensuring timely and consistent care.
The Get With The Guidelines program offers awards across clinical areas including stroke, heart failure, heart attack, cardiac arrest, Type 2 diabetes, and atrial fibrillation. Recognition levels range from Bronze to Gold Plus, based on performance and duration of achievement. Notably, the AHA has seen a surge in the number of organizations receiving its Commitment to Quality award, which highlights high performance across at least three clinical areas. In 2026, 222 hospitals received this honor, 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. “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, the AHA recognized 624 agencies with Mission: Lifeline EMS awards for providing rapid, research-based care to patients experiencing severe heart attacks and strokes. Furthermore, 47 sites received Mission: Lifeline Regional recognition for their collaboration with EMS and hospital partners to establish systems of care based on current guidelines. These programs aim to reduce barriers to prompt treatment, from the 911 call through hospital discharge.
New this year is 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 over 1.7 million Americans aged 65 and older. Without appropriate treatment, aortic stenosis can significantly impact survival and quality of life. Forty-one organizations received this recognition. Edwards Lifesciences is the national sponsor of the initiative.
Studies show that following guideline-directed care can help patients recover faster, reduce complications, and lower hospital readmission rates. The increasing number of recognized organizations indicates a growing commitment among healthcare teams to standardize care and improve patient outcomes. The full list of recipients is available on U.S. News & World Report, and more information about the AHA's quality improvement efforts can be found at heart.org/quality.
This recognition underscores the vital importance of evidence-based care in combating cardiovascular disease, the nation's leading killer. By honoring these organizations, the AHA highlights the critical role of coordinated, high-quality care in saving lives and improving patient outcomes across the country.
