American Heart Association Launches Groundbreaking Initiative to Combat Cardiovascular Disease

Strategic Insights -

The American Heart Association (AHA) has announced the expansion of its Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Health Initiative to 15 regions across the US, aiming to improve treatment of interconnected conditions leading to heart disease and stroke. The initiative, supported by founding sponsors Novo Nordisk and Boehringer Ingelheim, will enroll 150 healthcare sites and impact the care of over a quarter-million patients.

Key Takeaways:

  • The initiative, focused on reducing cardiovascular disease, has expanded to 15 regions across the US, with 10 new regions added, including Bronx and Brooklyn, New York, Connecticut, Indianapolis, Indiana, Las Vegas, Nevada, Louisville and western Kentucky, Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Nebraska, North Carolina, San Antonio, Texas, and Tulsa, Oklahoma.
  • The regions were selected based on disease prevalence, local health system characteristics, and community features like population size and demographic mix.
  • The initiative aims to increase awareness, screening, and treatment for cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome, which includes heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and obesity.
  • Risk factors contributing to CKM syndrome include high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, high blood glucose, impaired kidney function, and high body mass index or waist circumference.
  • The American Heart Association defines CKM syndrome as a public health emergency, with only 10% of US adults having excellent CKM health.
  • The initiative includes guidance for collaboration among specialists and community resources for people with health-related social needs.
  • The AHA provides resources, including the CKM Health Implementation Guide, for healthcare organizations to join the initiative and improve CKM health.

Statistics:

  • The initiative will enroll 150 healthcare sites across 15 regions, impacting the care of over a quarter-million patients.
  • Only 10% of US adults have excellent heart-kidney-metabolic (CKM) health.
  • Rates of risk factors contributing to CKM syndrome are rising, with generally low levels of CKM health.

Sources:

  • American Heart Association, "15 regions chosen for groundbreaking effort to reduce cardiovascular disease"
  • American Heart Association, "About the American Heart Association"
  • American Heart Association, "Multimedia"
  • American Heart Association, "Spanish news release"
  • American Heart Association, "Must-know facts for women about heart, kidney and metabolic health (May 2025)"
  • American Heart Association, "Rise in kidney disease underscores critical heart-kidney connection (March 2025)"
  • American Heart Association, "Heart disease could hit up to 28 years sooner for people with CKM syndrome (Nov. 2024)"
  • American Heart Association, "Follow AHA/ASA news on X @HeartNews"
  • American Heart Association, "Revenues from pharmaceutical and biotech companies, device manufacturers and health insurance providers and the Association's overall financial information are available here."