The American Heart Association (AHA) has achieved a significant milestone in its efforts to combat cardiovascular disease by recognizing outpatient care organizations in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico for their work in managing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes. This first-ever nationwide recognition underscores the critical role of outpatient settings in addressing the nation's most prevalent cardiovascular risk factors. According to the AHA's 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Report, cardiovascular disease affects an estimated 130.6 million U.S. adults, making it one of the most urgent health challenges facing the country.
The recognition comes through the AHA's Outpace CVD™ initiative, the organization's outpatient quality improvement portfolio. More than 2,700 healthcare organizations have been recognized for their commitment to improving cardiovascular risk factor management. These organizations collectively serve nearly 45.5 million patients, including millions at risk for cardiovascular disease due to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes. Over 1,750 organizations earned recognition in more than one Outpace CVD program, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to risk factor management.
"Many of the biggest opportunities to improve cardiovascular health begin in the outpatient setting," said Kevin Hwang, M.D., MPH, volunteer chair of the American Heart Association's Outpatient Quality Improvement Advisory Group. "Through Outpace CVD, care teams are applying evidence-based strategies that help patients better manage their cardiovascular risk factors." Hwang also serves as medical director of the UT Health Physicians Internal Medicine - Texas Medical Center clinic and director of its general internal medicine fellowship.
The importance of this initiative is starkly illustrated by the numbers. High blood pressure affects 125.9 million U.S. adults, yet only 22% have it under control. For 2026, nearly 2,700 organizations earned Target: BP™ recognition for their efforts to improve blood pressure control through accurate measurement, evidence-based treatment, and a focus on achieving better outcomes. Similarly, Check. Change. Control. Cholesterol™ recognized almost 1,000 organizations for their commitment to cholesterol management, a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Target: Type 2 Diabetes℠ recognized more than 1,700 organizations for addressing cardiovascular risk factors through evidence-based quality improvement and guideline-directed care, as cardiovascular disease remains a leading health threat for people with Type 2 diabetes.
These recognitions are part of a broader strategy to shift cardiovascular care toward prevention and proactive management. By leveraging programs like Outpace CVD, Target: BP™, Check. Change. Control. Cholesterol™, and Target: Type 2 Diabetes℠, the AHA is equipping healthcare organizations with the tools and resources needed to implement evidence-based practices. This nationwide recognition not only highlights the successes of these organizations but also sets a benchmark for others to follow, ultimately aiming to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease across the country.
For more information about the American Heart Association and its initiatives, visit heart.org. The original release can be viewed on www.newmediawire.com.
