For the first time, the American Heart Association is recognizing outpatient care organizations in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico for helping patients better manage high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes, according to an announcement by NEWMEDIAWIRE. The recognition comes through the Association's Outpace CVD™ initiative, which supports healthcare organizations in improving cardiovascular risk factor management. This marks a significant milestone in the fight against cardiovascular disease, which affects an estimated 130.6 million U.S. adults, according to the Association's 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Report.
More than 2,700 healthcare organizations are being recognized for their commitment to advancing high-quality care. Collectively, these organizations serve nearly 45.5 million patients, including millions at risk for cardiovascular disease due to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes. Over 1,750 organizations earned recognition in more than one Outpace CVD program, demonstrating a broad commitment to comprehensive risk factor management.
The Outpace CVD portfolio includes three recognition programs: Target: BP™, Check. Change. Control. Cholesterol™, and Target: Type 2 Diabetes℠. For 2026, nearly 2,700 organizations earned Target: BP recognition for their efforts to improve blood pressure control. High blood pressure affects 125.9 million U.S. adults, yet only 22% have it under control. Target: BP recognizes organizations that prioritize accurate measurement, evidence-based treatment, and improved blood pressure control.
Check. Change. Control. Cholesterol recognized almost 1,000 organizations for their commitment to cholesterol management. High cholesterol is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and this program supports organizations working to improve its detection and management. Target: Type 2 Diabetes recognized more than 1,700 organizations for addressing cardiovascular risk factors through evidence-based quality improvement and guideline-directed care.
"Many of the biggest opportunities to improve cardiovascular health begin in the outpatient setting," said Kevin Hwang, M.D., MPH, volunteer chair of the American Heart Association's Outpatient Quality Improvement Advisory Group. "Through Outpace CVD, care teams are applying evidence-based strategies that help patients better manage their cardiovascular risk factors." Hwang, medical director of the UT Health Physicians Internal Medicine - Texas Medical Center clinic and director of its general internal medicine fellowship, added, "Addressing high blood pressure, high cholesterol and Type 2 diabetes is critical to improving cardiovascular health. These organizations are demonstrating how evidence-based care can improve cardiovascular health and patient outcomes."
The implications of this recognition extend beyond the awarded organizations. With cardiovascular disease remaining a leading health threat, particularly for people with Type 2 diabetes, the widespread adoption of evidence-based practices in outpatient settings could significantly reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease nationwide. Each year, Outpace CVD supports thousands of healthcare organizations working to improve cardiovascular health in communities nationwide. For more information, visit heart.org and stroke.org.
