The American Heart Association has, for the first time, recognized outpatient care organizations in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico for their efforts to help patients manage high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes—three of the most common and consequential cardiovascular risk factors. The milestone, announced in a news release distributed via NEWMEDIAWIRE, underscores the growing role of outpatient settings in addressing a health crisis that 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 through Outpace CVD™, the Association’s outpatient quality improvement portfolio. The initiative provides 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 these conditions. Over 1,750 organizations earned recognition in more than one Outpace CVD program, demonstrating a broad commitment to comprehensive risk factor management.
“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.”
High blood pressure affects 125.9 million U.S. adults, yet only 22% have it under control. For 2026, nearly 2,700 organizations earned Target: BP™ recognition for prioritizing accurate measurement, evidence-based treatment, and improved blood pressure control. High cholesterol, another major modifiable risk factor, is the focus of Check. Change. Control. Cholesterol™, which recognized almost 1,000 organizations for improving its detection and management. Cardiovascular disease remains a leading health threat for people with Type 2 diabetes, and 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.”
The nationwide recognition matters because it signals that evidence-based cardiovascular risk factor management is becoming standard practice across diverse outpatient settings, from large health systems to small clinics. With cardiovascular disease remaining one of the nation’s most urgent health challenges, the collective reach of these organizations—serving nearly 45.5 million patients—could meaningfully reduce the burden of heart disease and stroke. The Association encourages more organizations to join the effort and learn more at heart.org/OutpaceCVD.
