News and Stories from the American Heart Association

2026 Go Red for Women Class of Survivors Migdalia Rodriguez

It wasn’t stress or the flu. It was severe heart failure.

Listening to her body (and even recording it) led woman to the answers she needed — and to the heart transplant that saved her life.
a wide variety of grains and carbs mixed with a few fruits and vegetables spread across a table top

New U.S. nutrition guidance emphasizes importance of healthier eating

Federal guidelines and Heart Association guidance both encourage limiting added sugars and highly processed foods, but there are differences.

Ralph Edwards (left), host of the radio show "Truth or Consequences," presents the check from The Walking Man contest to American Heart Association President Dr. Arlie R. Barnes in 1948. (American Heart Association archives)

What Actually Happened

You may have heard a misconception that Procter & Gamble gave the American Heart Association $1.5 million - the equivalent of more than $20 million today - in 1948. That's actually false.

Cass Wheeler was driven to improve the American Heart Association because he knew it meant improving and extending lives across the country and around the world. (Photo courtesy of the Wheeler family)

American Heart Association's visionary, transformative CEO dies at 84

Cass Wheeler saw his calling as helping others. He did so throughout his 35 years with the American Heart Association, the last 10 spent as CEO.

El Paso man pushes for smoke-free apartments

Dec 11, 2020

After years of waking up with burning lungs from a neighbor's smoking, Nelson Bank works through the AHA to help property owners, managers and residents set smoke-free policies.

Giving others the platform to soar

Oct 30, 2020

Midge LaPorte Epstein, who is retiring after 25 years at the American Heart Association, has received the organization's highest employee honor, the Earl B. Beagle Award for Staff Excellence.