The American Heart Association’s Strategic Impact Goal Through 2020 and Beyond
Donald M. Lloyd-Jones, MD, ScM, FAHA, Chair; et col.
This document details the procedures and recommendations of
the Goals and Metrics Committee of the Strategic Planning Task
Force of the American Heart Association, which developed the
2020 Impact Goals for the organization. The committee was charged
with defining a new concept,
cardiovascular health, and determining
the metrics needed to monitor it over time. Ideal cardiovascular
health, a concept well supported in the literature, is defined
by the presence of both ideal health behaviors (nonsmoking,
body mass index <25 kg/m
2, physical activity at goal levels,
and pursuit of a diet consistent with current guideline recommendations)
and ideal health factors (untreated total cholesterol <200
mg/dL, untreated blood pressure <120/<80 mm Hg, and fasting
blood glucose <100 mg/dL). Appropriate levels for children
are also provided. With the use of levels that span the entire
range of the same metrics, cardiovascular health status for
the whole population is defined as poor, intermediate, or ideal.
These metrics will be monitored to determine the changing prevalence
of cardiovascular health status and define achievement of the
Impact Goal. In addition, the committee recommends goals for
further reductions in cardiovascular disease and stroke mortality.
Thus, the committee recommends the following Impact Goals: "By
2020, to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans
by 20% while reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases and
stroke by 20%." These goals will require new strategic directions
for the American Heart Association in its research, clinical,
public health, and advocacy programs for cardiovascular health
promotion and disease prevention in the next decade and beyond. (Circulation. 2010;121:586-613.)