The World Heart Federation (WHF) will honor Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association, with its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the opening ceremony of the European Society of Cardiology Congress together with the World Congress of Cardiology in Madrid. The award recognizes her extraordinary leadership and lifelong commitment to transforming cardiovascular health on a global scale.
Brown has served as CEO of the American Heart Association since 2008, having started with the organization in 1986 and held multiple leadership roles including chief operating officer. Under her guidance, the association has advanced lifesaving science, innovation, and advocacy across more than 100 countries through quality improvement initiatives, scientific collaboration, and community-based interventions.
The World Heart Federation cited Brown's visionary leadership, global partnerships, and unwavering commitment to improving the future of health as transformative in the fight against cardiovascular disease—the world's leading cause of death. Jagat Narula, M.D., Ph.D., president of the WHF, stated that Brown embodies the organization's mission to be a relentless force for longer, healthier lives and demonstrates that everyone deserves access to quality health care.
Among Brown's significant accomplishments are the launch of global quality improvement programs that evolved from concepts in the late 1990s to robust initiatives including Get With The Guidelines and American Heart Association certification programs in the United States, Mexico, Latin America, India, and parts of Asia. These programs help measure and ensure consistent, evidence-based care in time-sensitive medical situations such as heart attack, stroke, and cardiac arrest.
Brown has also accelerated research and innovation through initiatives like the Go Red for Women Venture Fund, which has invested $75 million in companies addressing gaps in women's heart and brain health. Overall, the American Heart Association has invested $6.1 billion in research since 1949 under various leadership, including Brown's tenure.
Additionally, Brown mobilized lifesaving campaigns including the Association's CPR education effort known as the Nation of Lifesavers, which aims to double survival rates from sudden cardiac arrest by 2030. The Heart Association trains approximately 22 million people annually in CPR and develops first aid and resuscitation guidelines used globally. Brown expressed that the recognition reflects the dedication of volunteers, supporters, and staff worldwide who power the American Heart Association's mission daily.
