Washington

As a relentless force for longer, healthier lives, the American Heart Association Washington team joins forces with local organizations and clinics to advocate for and increase health equity.

Our collective efforts address pervasive drivers of health disparities, including discrimination and inadequate access to nutrition and quality health care. This work helps equip communities with the systems, resources and health education to achieve optimal heart health.

Throughout Washington State, our efforts to create avenues for greater access to care, increase access to nutritious, culturally relevant foods, develop blood pressure self-measuring programs and tobacco and e-cigarette education and prevention have impacted the lives of millions of Washingtonians. The pursuit of health equity requires listening, collaboration and coordination. We continue to evolve our efforts as we learn from volunteers, supporters and partners to best support our community.

What did donors and volunteers like you help us accomplish during our last fiscal year? Check out our Community Impact Year in Review to see the amazing impact of your donations.

Explore our Community Impact Strategies Overview highlighting our local health priorities, goals and strategies toward our organization-wide 2028 impact goal.

Harnessing unwavering passion for saving lives from heart disease and stroke, the American Heart Association’s Heart Powered grassroots network builds on more than 40 years of successful advocacy to help deliver health and hope for everyone, everywhere.

Our greatest strength is our volunteers who speak up and speak out every day to create change. Working together, we will continue to play a leading role in convincing federal, state and local lawmakers to support policies that will change the future of health.

You can be a part of Heart Powered by signing up at HeartPowered.org or text HEART to 46839.

Thank you for your help to build a healthier Washington.

Learning your child has a heart defect can be an uncertain and scary time for a family. According to studies in 2010 and 2011, an estimated minimum of 40,000 infants are expected to be affected by congenital cardiovascular defects each year in the United States. Your family is not alone. The American Heart Association is investing in research to further our understanding of CHDs and supporting families like yours who are caring for a young heart patient. Visit Congenital Heart Defects | American Heart Association for more information. You can also join our Support Network which provides information and an uplifting online community for patients, survivors and caregivers to share their experiences and connect with others.

Join the Nation of Lifesavers

When someone has a cardiac arrest, immediate CPR and defibrillation are critical and can double or triple a person’s chance of survival. Nationally, 9 out of 10 cases of cardiac arrest are fatal. By joining the Nation of Lifesavers, you can help support our goal of doubling the survival rate for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by 2030.

Learn CPR

Whether you want to be prepared to save the life of a loved one or need certification for work, you can find a CPR class that meets your needs.

Find a CPR class near you

Watch Hands-Only CPR instructional videos and find other resources

Adopt A Cardiac Emergency Response Plan for Your School or Organization

In Washington, only 15% of people who suffer sudden cardiac arrest survive and only 53% receive bystander CPR. During a cardiac emergency, a well-developed plan that directs specific action is essential for the best outcome. The development of a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP) is a collective effort to increase bystander response and cardiac arrest survival by ensuring organizational readiness.

As the leader in resuscitation science, education and training, we can help you develop a CERP.

Support includes:

• Technical assistance: Support in planning and developing a CERP, outlining protocols that align with CPR/AED best practices.
• Resources: Tools to guide CERP creation and activation, including templates, checklists, education materials, promotional tools and material translation.
• Communication: Support dissemination of CERP through educational messaging and integration with EMS.
• Funding: the American Heart Association may be able to support costs associated with CPR/AED certification, AED purchase and maintenance and CPR Anytime Training Kits.
• Connection with collaborators like Project ADAM and Nick of Time Foundation for additional support.

If you’re interested in learning more about CERP, or developing a plan for your organization or school, please contact [email protected].

Help Us Make WA Schools Safer

The American Heart Association wants all public schools to be prepared to respond to a cardiac emergency by having an emergency response plan. Support our efforts in Olympia to require schools to have a CERP by joining our Heart Powered network of volunteers. Advocates get action alerts and opportunities to meet with lawmakers in support of CERP legislation.

Walk to Save Lives through the Washington Heart and Stroke Walk

The Heart and Stroke Walk offers participants a digital CPR experience that can be shared with friends and family to increase CPR awareness. By participating in the Heart and Stroke Walk, you also help to save lives by funding research and our mission. Join us in Seattle, Spokane or Tacoma in September-October. Register now