The American Heart Association is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
The AHA was founded June 10, 1924, during a time when heart disease was considered a death sentence, according to a June 9 association news release. But the AHA founders believed that if science understood heart disease, treatments would follow.
"Through scientific research and the power of millions of volunteers and supporters, we have a deeper understanding of the many factors that contribute to these diseases: from traditional medical issues such has high blood pressure to societal problems, structural racism and discrimination," the association said.
Here are some fun facts about the AHA:
- The association was established by a small group of physicians who gathered at the Drake Hotel in Chicago.
- It is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke.
- Nearly 40 million volunteers, donors, advocates, staff and other supporters are part of the association around the world.
- More than $5.7 billion has been invested in cardiovascular scientific research — the largest investment outside of the federal government.
- Fifteen researchers funded by the association have won Nobel Prizes.
- American Heart Association co-founder Paul Dudley White, MD, had a lifelong hobby of collecting old medical books in Latin and Greek and could read in both languages.