American Heart Association of Austin
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The American Heart Association of Austin
Our Mission
Imagine a commercial jetliner crashing every day in Texas for a year, killing 150 each time. Unfortunately this kind of staggering loss is a reality in our state where approximately 150 people lose their lives daily from heart disease and stroke. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Texas and the U.S., and it’s the #2 killer of children. That’s why everyday your American Heart Association of Austin works hard to keep you, your loved ones, and your community safe from heart disease and stroke.
Our Impact Goal
The American Heart Association has an impact goal to reduce heart disease, stroke and risk by 25% by 2010. If we reach this goal, this translates into nearly a quarter of a million American lives saved annually – 13,000 of those in Texas. We’ve invested millions of dollars to fund research that can lead to tomorrow’s cures; educate the public to help safeguard their health from heart disease and stroke; advocate for legislative policies to save the lives of thousands of children, women and men; and work with health professionals to enhance the quality of care for patients.
Our Progress
Since 1998, we’ve seen progress in reducing the following heart disease and stroke risk factors:
- 23% reduction in heart disease death rates
- 19% reduction in stroke-related death rates
- 8.5% reduction in the incidence of uncontrolled high blood pressure
- 20% reduction in high blood cholesterol prevalence
- 13% reduction in tobacco use
Unfortunately, we’ve observed only a 2.5% reduction in the prevalence of physical inactivity, a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, so we’ll be working hard to introduce programs in Central Texas that encourage employers and schools to get adults and children moving.
Our Volunteers are Key
The American Heart Association relies on the passion and commitment of hundreds of local volunteers every year for event planning, public speaking, fundraising, and more. Some current opportunities include:
- Event Committee Member: Help plan and implement various aspects of our events like the Heart Walk, Heart Ball, Go Red For Women Heart Savvy Summit, and Hispanic Health Festival.
- Public Health Educator: Speak to community and business groups on a variety of heart health topics.
- Professional Media Spokesperson: Share your medical or professional expertise related to heart health topics with media outlets for print, radio, or TV news opportunities.
- Heart or Stroke Survivor Media Spokesperson: Share your unique personal story at events and with media outlets.
- Hispanic Outreach or African-American Outreach Task Force Member: Advise and develop outreach efforts to at-risk populations in our community.
- Power To End Stroke Ambassador: Community and business leaders who advocate and educate the African-American community about their increased risk for stroke.
- “You’re the Cure” Grassroots Networker: Sign up to receive national, state, and local email alerts that help you communicate easily and effectively with legislators about your position on key health issues. Signing up is simple, and participation only takes a few minutes each month.
For more information about volunteer opportunities, call 512-433-4000.
For information about the American Heart Association of Austin programs and events, visit americanheart.org and enter your zip code in the “Get Local Info” section.
