American Heart Association

Our Mission

Our mission is to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. That single purpose drives all we do. The need for our work is beyond question. We invite you to help us achieve our 2020 Impact Goal: By 2020, to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent while reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20 percent.


The American Heart Association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary health organization. Its purpose is to help prevent America’s No. 1 and No. 4 killers, heart disease and stroke. The American Heart Association advocates to protect public health and promote positive behaviors, nutritious eating habits and healthy lifestyles. It also funds cutting-edge research as well as professional education programs.



Activity

  • American Heart Association
    What heart conditions are related to valve disease?
    Because healthy heart valves are critically important to a healthy circulatory system, a heart...  Full Post
  • American Heart Association
    What does the term valve gradient mean?
    If your doctor is talking about the health of your heart, the valve’s gradient describes the...  Full Post
  • American Heart Association
    Which tests are used to evaluate heart valve conditions?
    The most common tests to evaluate heart valve function and related conditions are: Auscultation...  Full Post
  • American Heart Association
    What is the purpose of the heart chambers?
    The normal heart has two distinct sides and four “holding areas” called chambers for...  Full Post
  • American Heart Association
    What happens if a heart valve malfunctions?
    There are two main types of heart valve problems: Regurgitation (or leakage of the heart valve)...  Full Post
  • American Heart Association
    What are the different valves in the heart?
    The four valves of the heart are the tricuspid, mitral, pulmonic, and aortic valves. The upper two...  Full Post
  • American Heart Association
    What does the tricuspid valve do?
    The heart’s tricuspid valve: Closes off the upper right chamber (or atrium) that holds blood...  Full Post
  • American Heart Association
    What does the pulmonic valve do?
    The heart’s pulmonary (or pulmonic) valve: Closes off the lower right chamber (or right...  Full Post
  • American Heart Association
    What does the aortic valve in the heart do?
    The heart’s aortic valve: Closes off the lower right chamber that holds the oxygen-rich...  Full Post
  • American Heart Association
    What is the ejection fraction?
    The heart’s ejection fraction is a term that describes how well the heart can pump blood out...  Full Post
  • American Heart Association
    What is a coronary angiogram?
    A coronary angiogram is a special dye-based X-ray test performed to find out if your coronary...  Full Post
  • American Heart Association
    Who is at risk for heart valve disease?
    Heart valve disease can affect people of any age, although we are all more susceptible as we...  Full Post
  • American Heart Association
    How does blood pump through the heart?
    Blood always flows through the system in the same pattern: coming from the body, passing through...  Full Post
  • American Heart Association
    What is the function of the heart's valves?
    Heart valves separate the four chambers of the heart that collect and pump blood, and control the...  Full Post
  • Charlene Molnar