digital illustration of a silhouette of a human body with lines and dots of a polygonal-shaped brain and heart

Getting to the Heart of Stroke™

A national initiative from the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association, developed in conjunction with and supported by HCA Healthcare and the HCA Healthcare Foundation, aimed at improving heart health and beating stroke.

Stroke is the No. 5 leading cause of death and a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the U.S., despite stroke being largely preventable, treatable and beatable.

Getting to the Heart of Stroke focuses on:

  • increasing collaboration between cardiology and neurology through identifying and disseminating quality improvement best practices;
  • educating health care professionals about the latest clinical guidelines and science;
  • empowering consumers to know and better manage their risk factors; and
  • improving community awareness that stroke is largely preventable, treatable and beatable.

What’s good for the heart is good for the brain. Discover the impact of the Getting to the Heart of Stroke initiative over the past two years in treating, beating, and preventing strokes.

View the Getting to the Heart of Stroke infographic (PDF)

 

American Heart Association® | Getting to the Heart of Stroke™ logo lock-up

Watch our impact video to see how the Getting to the Heart of Stroke initiative is making a difference for consumers and health care professionals.

Managing My AFib

Work with your health care professional to help better manage your AFib and to reduce your risk for stroke. You might need further evaluation.
Learn about AFib

MyAFib Experience

AFib affects millions of Americans — both patients and the loved ones who care for them. Connect online with others who know what you’re going through and get the support you need.
Get AFib support

Preventing Another Stroke

About 1 in 4 strokes occur in people who have had a previous stroke. Yet up to 80% of strokes may be prevented with medication and healthy habits. Take small steps today to defeat stroke.
Take steps to defeat stroke

Be prepared. Learn and share the F.A.S.T. warning signs.

Patient Stories

Collaboration among health care providers with attention to the heart-brain aspect of a stroke survivor’s recovery is an essential practice. This approach promises that patient-centered care focuses on helping stroke survivors prevent another stroke, maximizes survivors’ function, feasibly avoids complications, and optimizes survivors’ quality of life. Read how this approach worked for these stroke survivors.

Nusi Tukuafu

Stroke survivor, Silivenusi “Nusi” Tukuafu, is standing in front of sports memorabilia wearing a Springboks rugby jersey.
No time was lost when Nusi’s wife recognized that he was having a stroke. The result was fast hospital care, treatment and a second chance.
Read Nusi’s Story

Melody McMurray

Melody McMurray with her dog
At 21, Melody McMurray had a stroke, mistaking symptoms for exhaustion. Her boyfriend recognized the stroke warning signs F.A.S.T.
Read Melody’s Story

Manuel Vera

Recognizing that he was having a stroke prompted a trip to the ER. Manuel’s unexpected stroke resulted in good outcomes.
Read Manuel’s Story

Daniel Ganier

Stroke survivor, Daniel Ganier, and his wife, Denisha, smiling
He was just 29 when he suffered a stroke. Thanks to a team collaboration of care providers, Ganier made a full recovery.
Read Daniel’s Story

Laura Sammons

A selfie of stroke survivor, Laura Sammons, and her husband at the beach
In 2017, as she approached an intersection with a stoplight, she blanked out and had no idea how to drive. Sammons was having a stroke.
Read Laura’s Story
'Getting to the Heart of Stroke' on a conceptual digital medical illustration background

Professional Education

Get started with webinars and podcasts aimed at increasing collaboration between cardiology and neurology, educating health care professionals, and addressing disparities in stroke risk factor diagnosis and treatment.

Watch. Learn. Listen.

HCA Healthcare and HCA Healthcare Foundation logo lock-up

HCA Healthcare and HCA Healthcare Foundation are proud to be the national sponsor of Getting to the Heart of Stroke™.