The American Heart Association (AHA) has recognized more than 3,000 health care organizations nationwide for their commitment to improving outcomes for patients with heart disease, stroke, and related conditions through its Get With The Guidelines quality improvement programs. This recognition 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 Get With The Guidelines programs help health care teams apply the latest evidence-based science to treatment decisions, ensuring that care is timely, consistent, and aligned with proven standards. Awards are given across clinical areas including stroke, heart failure, heart attack, cardiac arrest, Type 2 diabetes, and atrial fibrillation, with recognition levels ranging from Bronze to Gold Plus based on performance and duration of achievement.
In 2026, 222 hospitals are being recognized with the Commitment to Quality award, up from 158 in the award’s inaugural year last year. This award highlights organizations demonstrating high performance across at least three clinical areas. “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 and associate professor at Washington University School of Medicine. “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 Get With The Guidelines awards, the AHA recognized 624 agencies with Mission: Lifeline EMS awards for offering rapid, research-based care to people experiencing the most severe forms of heart attacks and strokes. Forty-seven sites received Mission: Lifeline Regional recognition for their commitment to working with referring and receiving hospital partners, as well as EMS, to establish a system of care based on the most up-to-date research-based guidelines. The Mission: Lifeline program helps reduce barriers to prompt treatment, from when 911 is called, to EMS transport, and continuing through hospital treatment and discharge.
New for this year is the Target: Aortic Stenosis Honor Roll, part of an initiative to improve detection and treatment of aortic stenosis, a common and often underdiagnosed heart valve disease that affects more than 1.7 million Americans over age 65. Without appropriate treatment, it can significantly impact survival and quality of life. Forty-one organizations received this recognition. Edwards Lifesciences is the national sponsor of the AHA’s Target: Aortic Stenosis initiative.
Studies show that following guideline-directed care can help patients recover faster, reduce complications, and lower the risk of hospital readmission. The growing number of recognized organizations demonstrates continued momentum among health care teams nationwide to standardize care, reduce variation, and improve patient outcomes. Visit U.S. News & World Report to view the full list of recipients and learn more about the AHA’s health care quality improvement efforts at heart.org/quality.
