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—three of the nation’s most common and consequential cardiovascular risk factors. The announcement, made via NEWMEDIAWIRE, highlights a significant expansion of the Association’s quality improvement efforts.
According to the Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Report, cardiovascular disease affects an estimated 130.6 million U.S. adults, making it one of the nation’s most urgent health challenges. The American Heart Association is recognizing more than 2,700 healthcare organizations through Outpace CVD™ for their commitment to improving cardiovascular risk factor management and advancing high-quality care.
Outpace CVD™ is the American Heart Association’s outpatient quality improvement portfolio, helping healthcare organizations improve management of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and Type 2 diabetes through evidence-based resources and recognition programs, including Target: BP™, Check. Change. Control. Cholesterol™ and Target: Type 2 Diabetes℠. Collectively, participating 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.
“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.”
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. Check. Change. Control. Cholesterol™ supports organizations working to improve its detection and management.
Cardiovascular disease remains a leading health threat for people with Type 2 diabetes. Target: Type 2 Diabetes℠ recognized more than 1,700 organizations for addressing cardiovascular risk factors through evidence-based quality improvement and guideline-directed care.
“Addressing high blood pressure, high cholesterol and Type 2 diabetes is critical to improving cardiovascular health,” Hwang added. “These organizations are demonstrating how evidence-based care can improve cardiovascular health and patient outcomes.”
Each year, Outpace CVD supports thousands of healthcare organizations working to improve cardiovascular health in communities nationwide. Learn more at heart.org/OutpaceCVD.
