American Heart Association continues global expansion of lifesaving work

DALLAS, Jan. 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Cardiovascular disease knows no borders, and currently accounts for more than 17 million deaths per year, a figure expected to reach approximately 23 million per year by 2030. That's why the American Heart Association (AHA) is committed to building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke around the world through a continued expansion of global efforts. As part of this commitment, the AHA is launching expanded and translated web content on international.heart.org to reach more people in more places with lifesaving information, delivered in eight languages: Arabic, English, German, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese and Spanish.

"At the American Heart Association, we believe everyone deserves to live a healthier, longer life. Since our founding in 1924, we have partnered with international organizations, passionate researchers and governments in an effort to save and improve lives, and currently are present in more than 100 countries worldwide," said Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association. "Our global strategies mirror our domestic values, rooted in the pursuit to ensure equitable health for all. These extended, translated web pages will help us meet people where they are with lifesaving information and access to training, helping to impact global health and create a world where the healthy choice becomes the default choice," said Brown.

The AHA's expanded, translated web pages will make it easier to reach people around the world with lifesaving messages, and help healthcare providers, employers and the general public find AHA's first aid, CPR and advanced cardiovascular care products in many native languages. It will also help connect people to nearby instructors, training centers and educators within the global network of 400,000 AHA instructors who can help deliver the latest science and education information.

"Science and research are inherently collaborative and without borders. The knowledge to treat and prevent cardiovascular disease and stroke in one country, can benefit people in many other countries," said Jim Postl, Chair of the American Heart Association's International Business Management Committee. "In support of a region's health priorities, we provide our technical expertise and experience in developing both patient and public programs and campaigns to improve the quality of life and promote a sustainable culture of health," said Postl.

The AHA works in coalition with key global partners like the World Heart Federation, the Non-Communicable Disease Alliance, the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation and numerous sister cardiology and resuscitation societies and foundations. Together they share the best in science and research, and advocating for sound health and public policies in support of the United Nations and World Health Organization goals around prevention and control of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

To learn more about the American Heart Association's emergency cardiovascular care programs and other efforts around the world, visit international.heart.org.

About the American Heart Association 

The American Heart Association is a global leader in the discovery and dissemination of heart disease and stroke science, and is widely known and highly respected as one of the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to preventing, treating and defeating cardiovascular diseases and stroke. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. To learn more about the AHA, visit heart.org or call +1-800-242-8721.

At this time, our call center only supports English inquiries. To learn more about the American Heart Association's emergency cardiovascular care programs and other efforts around the world, visit international.heart.org.

Media Contact:
Megan Lozito
+1.214.706.1876
[email protected]

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SOURCE American Heart Association