In 1924, cardiologists Paul Dudley White, Hugh D. McCulloch, Joseph Sailer, Robert H. Halsey, James B. Herrick, and Lewis A. Conner,[6] formed the Association for the Prevention and Relief of Heart Disease as a professional society for doctors.

[7] In the 1950s and 1960s, the American Heart Association published several reports and guidelines focused on recommended lifestyles to improve cardiovascular health.

Increase intake of polyunsaturated fat, (4) Men with a strong family history of atherosclerosis should pay particular attention to diet modification, and (5) Dietary changes should be carried out under medical supervision.

[9] In 1994, the Chronicle of Philanthropy, an industry publication, released the results of the largest study of charitable and non-profit organization popularity and credibility.

[14] All revenues from the local and national campaigns go to support awareness, research, education and community programs to benefit women.

[16] On November 30, 2009, The American Heart Association announced a new cardiac arrest awareness campaign called Be the Beat.

[18] The campaign's aim is to teach 12- to 15-year-olds fun ways to learn the basics of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and how to use an automated external defibrillator.

In 2012, the AHA renewed its focus on hands-only CPR by carrying out a national campaign to educate more people on how to perform this method.

[22] In 2013, the American Heart Association issued a joint guideline recognizing obesity as a disease and recommending its treatment by weight loss.

[24] In 2016, the American Heart Association, Verily Life Sciences, and AstraZeneca invested $75 million in the One Brave Idea program.

The money was awarded to institutions researching new biomarkers, such as genetic and molecular factors, that put individuals at risk for atherosclerosis.

The change was made in recognition of the risk of heart disease, disability, and death faced by those with blood pressures at 130 over 80.

Newly included in the guidelines is a recommendation to use coronary artery calcium score if healthcare providers are having difficulty deciding if a patient could benefit from statin medications or should focus solely on lifestyle modifications.

[28] In 2020 and 2021, the annual flagship meeting of the organization was held virtually owing to the COVID-19 pandemic and resumed as an in-person conference in 2022.

[30] With the official celebration of its founding, the association was recognized as the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke.

[36] Between 2016 and 2021, the American Heart Association invested $20 million in the Go Red for Women Strategically Focused Research Network.

[36] Also in 2023, Miss America’s Scholarship Foundation, a 501(c)(3), announced a 3-year commitment supporting American Heart Association’s women’s initiative, Go Red for Women®.

[52][53] The American Heart Association’s 2024 Impact Goal states, "Every person deserves the opportunity for a full, healthy life.

[55] The AHA's Social Impact Fund is a nationwide fund that provides financial resources for "evidence-based, community driven entrepreneurial solutions that help remove the social and economic barriers to health equity and drive economic empowerment, healthy food access, affordable housing, access to quality healthcare, transportation, educational opportunities, and reduce recidivism.

[60] The HBCU Scholars program pairs students with a local American Heart Association researcher and was created to "support the development of minority scientists and healthcare professionals," and increase the number of minority students who apply and are accepted into biomedical and health science programs.

[62][63] Students and researchers study the impact of cardiovascular disease in their community, learn the factors affecting vulnerable populations, and sample areas of scientific inquiry.

[67] The American Heart Association supports the No Surprises Act, stating it will keep costs and premiums down and encourage more people to seek care from healthcare professionals.

[68] In 2022, the American Heart Association, the Rockefeller Foundation, Kroger, and other partners announced a plan to build a national Food is Medicine Research Initiative to help provide concrete evidence that food-as-medicine programs improve health.

[55] In September 2023, the AHA partnered with the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, the American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Association, and the Food is Medicine Institute at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University to launch Nourish My Health.

[70] The American Heart Association publishes healthcare guidelines, statements, and performance measures.A small sample of these professional education and development resources include: The AHA also holds an annual Scientific Sessions meeting, which covers several days and a number of medical/healthcare topics; and hosts an International Stroke Conference.