About Us
The American Heart Association (AHA) is the largest non-profit organization in the United States dedicated to eliminating heart disease and stroke. Operating globally, the organization drives medical innovations, funds over $6 billion in research, and establishes emergency CPR guidelines to train a global network of lifesavers.
To fulfill its 2026 strategic goals, the AHA convenes healthcare professionals, researchers, and exhibitors through its annual medical conferences and scientific sessions.
Key 2026 Medical Meetings & Event Details
The AHA hosts highly targeted scientific conferences to share breakthrough data and guidelines. The core schedule of events includes:
- AHA Scientific Sessions 2026: The flagship four-day event takes place November 6–9, 2026, at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, Illinois. It provides access to groundbreaking cardiovascular research. Late-breaking science abstract submission opens on June 22, 2026, and closes August 24, 2026.
- Hypertension 2026 Scientific Sessions: Scheduled for October 7–11, 2026, in Crystal City, Arlington, Virginia, at the Hyatt Regency. This session introduces integrated tracks for clinicians and unveils new clinical guidelines regarding Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) Syndrome.
- Basic Cardiovascular Sciences (BCVS) 2026: Held from July 13–16, 2026, at the Sheraton Boston in Boston, Massachusetts, bridging basic discoveries with clinical practice.
- International Stroke Conference (ISC): Held annually alongside specialized nursing symposia, serving as a global premier forum for cerebrovascular disease updates.
Core "About Us" Strategic Initiatives
- Comprehensive CKM Syndrome Guidelines: In June 2026, the AHA partnered with other major medical societies to issue updated clinical guidelines. These updates address the vital links between heart health, kidney disease, and metabolic disorders like obesity and type 2 diabetes.
- Global Resuscitation Rollouts: The AHA continues its global expansion by establishing its first comprehensive heart failure center certification outside the US (in Mexico) and deploying localized forums to implement current CPR and ECC Guidelines across India, Japan, Europe, and the Middle East.
- Statistical Tracking: Published in early 2026, the authoritative Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update tracks core cardiovascular health metrics, healthcare costs, and pregnancy complications to steer federal health policies.