American Heart Association

Iowa

Help us ensure everyone in Iowa has the opportunity to live longer, healthier lives.
Iowa

CPR & AED

CPR

90 percent of people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests die. CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival. We want to double the survival rate of cardiac arrest by 2030 through increased Cardiac Emergency Response Plans, training more people in CPR and increased AED training and accessibility in our community. 

Know Your Numbers

Know your numbers

High blood pressure is one of the biggest drivers of heart disease—and nearly half of American adults are affected by it. The first step to protecting your heart is simple: know your numbers. That’s why we’re making it easier than ever for people in Des Moines to get screened.

Healthy Food Access

Healthy Food Access

Right now, more than 385,000 Iowans are facing food insecurity. That’s enough people to fill Jack Trice Stadium more than six times. And with all 99 counties seeing increases, it’s clear this is a statewide challenge. That’s why the American Heart Association is teaming up with local food pantries to make heart-healthy options more accessible.

Holiday Ornament While Supplies Last!

Make your holiday gift of $125 or more today for 2X the life-saving impact and receive an exclusive keepsake ornament as our thanks. But don't wait, these special ornaments are going fast!

Support healthier hearts and longer lives by making a holiday gift that DOUBLES today.
2025 American Heart Association Ornament

Events in Your Area

Iowa City Go Red for Women

Location: Hyatt Regency Corallville Hotel & Conference Center

Date: Friday, December 5, 2025 - 12:00 PM

Register

Greater Des Moines Heart Ball

Location: Community Choice Convention Center

Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026 - 05:00 PM

Register

Quad Cities Heart Ball

Location: Waterfront Convention Center

Date: Friday, March 27, 2026 - 05:30 PM

Register

In Your Community

The American Heart Association is committed to driving equitable health impact in Iowa through five key priority areas: women, readiness, tobacco and vaping, patients, and healthy living. Equity is always at the center of our work, and it will continue to guide all that we do.

Through our focus on these key impact areas, and with collaboration among local organizations, sponsors, businesses, and others that serve the community, we are working to improve the health and well-being of Iowa citizens while saving and improving countless lives.

Throughout the state of Iowa, we’ve seen our community impact work grow, including efforts around creating avenues for greater access to care, expanding healthy food access and education, building a network of first responders through CPR kits in schools, supporting blood pressure screenings and education, and educating on the dangers of tobacco and vaping.

People are counting on us as never before. We at the American Heart Association, along with our supporters, will drive change, and we will be relentless.

Community

For more than 40 years, Advocacy has had a mission-critical role in the American Heart Association's work. Our legislative and regulatory priorities help to mitigate risk factors and protect survivors in communities across the country. We support the enactment of evidence-based public policies that lead to longer, healthier lives.

Public policy advocacy is an essential strategy used by the Association to affect necessary and sustainable policy, system and environmental changes that help Iowa citizens build healthier lives free of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Our efforts in Iowa and its communities are focused on the following policy areas: Maternal health, Access to Care Funding and Coverage, Nutrition Security, Health Equity Community Plans, Healthy Early Childhood Policies, Cardiac Emergency Response Plans and CPR implementation in schools.

Advocacy

Board Chair
Kris A. DeGraff
Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield

Board President
Dr. Wanakee Carr
The Iowa Clinic

Members 

Robert Gavora
MercyOne Iowa Heart

Jill Greiner 
Johnson Greiner Financial
Consulting Group of Wells Fargo Advisors

Angel Grubb
Community Volunteer 

John Irving
Tri-City Electric Co. 

Matt Meendering 
Dowling Catholic High School

Cameron Nicholson
YMCA of Greater Des Moines

Janet Naset-Payne, RN, BS, MHA
Broadlawns Medical Center

Cameron Nicholson
YMCA of Greater Des Moines

Tim Pearson
Mercy College of Health Sciences

Marcus Pitts
JLL Des Moines

Brooke Quinn
Carrot Fertility

Karen Rieck
FBL Financial Group, Inc.

Elisa Sloss, RD, LD
Hy-Vee Food Stores, Inc. 

Dr. Denise M. Sorrentino, MD, FHRS, FACC
MercyOne Iowa Heart

Amanda Vander Ley
Homes Murphy

Kevin Waetke
Sammons Financial Group

Sarah P. Zeidler
UnityPoint Health


Contact Us

Des Moines, Iowa

(MAIL ONLY)
9203 Northpark Drive
Johnston, Iowa 50131

Phone: (515) 414-3200

Eastern Iowa

By Appointment Only:
1035 N. Center Point Rd., Ste B
Hiawatha, IA 52233

Phone: (319) 536-3900

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Heart and Stroke News

Find science-based stories about heart and brain health and inspiring survivor profiles from American Heart Association News.