What it means
A national organization focused on heart disease and stroke. Its guidelines, often written with the American College of Cardiology, set the standards for CPR and emergency heart care, blood pressure categories, and the care of conditions such as heart failure. It also runs the Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) courses many nurses must pass.
At a glance
| Abbreviations | AHA |
|---|---|
| Also written | AHA |
Related terms
hypertension
Blood pressure that stays higher than normal, at or above 130/80 mm Hg by current US guidelines.
cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Emergency chest compressions, with or without rescue breaths, to keep blood flowing when the heart has stopped.
heart failure
A long-term condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.