Iowa
CPR & AED
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
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
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.
Survivor Story: A miracle in a blizzard
At five years old, Charlotte Leinhart has already undergone two open-heart surgeries. After the second surgery, she experienced a serious complication that left her hospitalized. She needed to return to Omaha, where the surgery was performed, but a blizzard made that impossible. It took three hospital teams—and a miracle—to get Charlotte back to Omaha.
Today is a Gift
Reegan Lueken was excited for her first day of 7th grade track practice. Then she got dizzy. And her excitement turned into panic. Watch how knowing the stroke warning signs can save a life.
Featured Recipe: Steamed Pumpkin Bread
Pumpkin, dried cranberries, walnuts, and spices update a traditional steamed brown bread recipe. The result is moist and delicious.
Focus on Quality
When medical professionals apply the most up-to-date evidence-based treatment guidelines, patient outcomes improve. That's the simple truth behind the drive for continuous quality improvement. Our comprehensive suite of programs can help you advance farther and faster in the quest for ever-better care.
Life’s Essential 8
Life’s Essential 8 are the key measures for improving and maintaining cardiovascular health, as defined by the American Heart Association. Better cardiovascular health helps lower the risk for heart disease, stroke and other major health problems.
Holiday Ornament While Supplies Last!
Support healthier hearts and longer lives by making a holiday gift that DOUBLES today.
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
RegisterGreater Des Moines Heart Ball
Location: Community Choice Convention Center
Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026 - 05:00 PM
RegisterQuad Cities Heart Ball
Location: Waterfront Convention Center
Date: Friday, March 27, 2026 - 05:30 PM
RegisterIn 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.
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.
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
Heart and Stroke News