Scientific Research

The research we fund through the generosity of our donors is helping more people survive heart disease and stroke. We’ve built one of the largest and most trusted research programs in the nation, funding more than $5.9 billion in heart disease and stroke research over the years. Today, we are proud to be the largest private funder of this research.
Our core programs help launch or further work that shows the greatest potential for lifesaving impact. And we've advocated for federal investments in the National Institutes of Health, the world's leading medical research institution that funds research projects and supports research-related jobs across the country.
From major milestones to everyday moments, research is making stories like these possible
Stephanie was just 35 when she went into sudden cardiac arrest while sleeping. Fortunately, her husband, Matt, recognized the signs and immediately began CPR, keeping her alive until help arrived. Thanks to quick action and medical advancements, including a device now monitoring her heart, Stephanie made a full recovery. She’s turning her second chance into a mission to help others be prepared when every second counts.
Groundbreaking results for more than a century
Our longstanding support of scientific research expands beyond funding to facilitating discussions in the scientific community and disseminating findings through meetings and scientific journals. Through these efforts, the American Heart Association has propelled breakthroughs that have saved and improved lives. We have always believed that scientific research could lead the way to better treatment, prevention and ultimately a cure.
The American Heart Association has been committed to funding early-career investigators, whose work is vital to the future of heart and brain health. That commitment has brought results. Among our many research milestones include the first implantable pacemakers, the first artificial heart valve, CPR techniques and cholesterol-lowering medications. And we've funded research for 15 Nobel Prize winners.

Understanding how energy keeps hearts beating

Correcting heart defects in newborns

Research shows lifesaving value of CPR

Breakthrough opens blocked arteries
You can support lifesaving research
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Accelerating the next scientific breakthroughs
The Heart Association’s Precision Medicine Platform offers cloud-computing capabilities via secure workspaces equipped with state-of-the-art AI and analytics tools to researchers around the globe. If you are a researcher, learn more about our varied initiatives, and how you can play a valuable role.
Our historic endeavor One Brave Idea is awarding $75 million to a single research team aiming to cure coronary heart disease.
Our Strategically Focused Research Networks bring together researchers from top institutions to collaborate on specific topics. Our Collaborative Sciences Awards partner researchers from different disciplines, while our Merit Awards fund creative approaches with the potential to move a field of science forward.
AHA Data Science taps into the power of technology and big data to identify safer and more effective treatment and prevention strategies that are personalized to individuals and populations.