Click here for a brief video overview of the AHA Journals CME program.

AHA Mission and CME Goals

Since 1900, cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been the No. 1 killer in the United States every year but 1918. Nearly 2,600 Americans die of CVD each day, an average of 1 death every 34 seconds. CVD claims about as many lives each year as the next 5 leading causes of death combined, which are cancer, chronic lower respiratory tract diseases, accidents, diabetes mellitus, and influenza and pneumonia. On average, every 3 minutes someone dies from a stroke in the United States. From the early 1970s to early 1990s, the estimated number of noninstitutionalized stroke survivors increased from 1.5 million to 2.4 million (2005 Heart and Stroke Update).

Physicians who treat patients with CVD and stroke have expressed a desire to stay current and for increased knowledge of all areas of cardiovascular disease and stroke. The AHA journals have been at the forefront of cardiovascular disease and stroke research for more than 75 years. The format and design of the AHA journals allow the journals to serve as an effective learning tool for physicians interested in refining their problem solving skills, learning about the cutting-edge advances in the fields, and applying this knowledge to patient care. Readers of AHA journal continuing medical education (CME) should be able to reach the following educational objectives:

• Refine their problem-solving skills and learn about cutting-edge advances in the field.
• Apply knowledge gained by reading the selected article to patient care.