American Heart Association Colorado Division

In Colorado, we’re taking a holistic approach to tackling issues that are preventing our communities from living a heart healthy life. This means we’re laser focused on issues like improving blood pressure, increasing access to healthy food, reducing tobacco use, teaching communities CPR, and investing in lifesaving research. 

Every dollar has an impact. Because of your generous support, we have been able to achieve amazing things right here in Colorado and make a difference on the lives of our neighbors. But our work is far from done. 

Here are some ways we're working to make a direct impact on the heart health of communities around the state.

Local Impact of the American Heart Association in Colorado

• Blood Pressure: We're working to help more people in Colorado understand their blood pressure numbers and manage their risks. High blood pressure is called the silent killer as it often has no symptoms. Through work with STRIDE Community Health Centers, we have been able to provide self-monitored blood pressure kits to hypertensive patients which allows them to regularly monitor their blood pressure at home.
• Nutrition and Food Security: We know that poor nutrition can lead to poor health. When people struggle with making their food dollar stretch further, they may have to sacrifice quality or variety or even skip meals to make ends meet. And the results can be devastating with an increased risk of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. During the summer months, we support weekly Healthy Farmers Markets in Thornton. Attendees of the markets have access to educational resources and vouchers to purchase locally grown, affordable heart healthy produce.
• Reduced Tobacco Use: Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable disease and death and a major risk factor in the development of cardiovascular disease. Of the approximately 480,000 Americans who die from smoking each year, 35% of those deaths are from cardiovascular disease. Locally, we work at all levels of government to address tobacco use, and recently we helped pass an ordinance in Golden which eliminates the sale of flavored tobacco products and puts the health of the community first by removing these dangerous products.
• Increased CPR Education: More than 350,000 out-of hospital cardiac arrests occur each year in the United States. During cardiac arrest, immediate CPR can double or triple a person's chance of survival. This is why we launched our Nation of Lifesavers™ program and we’re working to turn bystanders into lifesavers through CPR and AED awareness education in Colorado.
• Research Investments: Funding research is a cornerstone of the American Heart Association’s lifesaving mission – a pillar of the organization’s foundation and a key to the future. Since 1949, the American Heart Association has invested over $5 billion, more than any other non-profit organization outside of the federal government. Currently in Colorado, the American Heart Association is funding over 30 active research projects totaling over $6 million. The impact of the research projects has the potential to transform the lives of millions of people, not only in Colorado but across the country.