American Heart Association - Greater Washington Region

06/12/2026

"Stroke took a lot from me, but it didn't take everything." 💪

💕Just days after giving birth, Erin Adelekun survived a devastating stroke that left her with aphasia (a language disorder). She had to relearn the basics. But with pure determination, Erin has passed so many milestones: walking new distances, getting back behind the wheel and becoming a powerful advocate and storyteller.

Here are some of her breakthroughs. 📣

Follow the American Stroke Association for more!

06/10/2026

📣Heart at the Capitol convened survivors and allies for a day of advocacy in support of the Smart Heart Act! This lifesaving legislation would ensure that schools in North Carolina are prepared to act if a student, teacher or staff member goes into cardiac arrest.

♥️For Hailey Yentz, this issue is personal: her life was saved because people acted quickly and had access to an AED. Those first few minutes matter, and having a plan in place can be the difference between life and death.

📷Here are some snapshots from this powerful day.

06/09/2026

Yes, we’ve seen the watermelon challenge. 🍉 It may be fun, but the message behind it is serious: women’s heart health deserves attention. Cardiovascular disease remains the No. 1 killer of women. Many people believe that women are less likely to have heart problems and overdramatize incidents. It’s these fears and myths that lead to women being less likely to receive the lifesaving CPR help they need.

Thank you to our colleagues Karyn, Brian and Jess for bringing this fun challenge and the mission behind it to life!

06/08/2026

CHD warrior Brady Petrauskas inspires us every day with his courage - and we're thrilled to see that his story has made an even bigger splash as an Award of Excellence winner from the Communicator Awards, joining the ranks of JT Laybourne and Jane Seymour!

Thank you to Brady and the Petrauskas family for sharing Brady's survivor story and raising awareness.
http://spr.ly/6184B8ZiSj Kids Heart Challenge & American Heart Challenge

Recognizing excellence, effectiveness, and innovation across all areas of communication.

06/05/2026

📣🎤“In the real world,” you don’t need special training to save a life!

If you see a teen or adult collapse, call 911 and push hard and fast in the center of the chest. Paramore’s “Ain’t It Fun” can help you keep the right beat.

06/04/2026

Congratulations to Potomac Elementary School and Rolling Ridge Elementary School in northern Virginia for being named Kids Heart Challenge CPR in Schools grant winners and joining the Nation of Lifesavers!

Through Kids Heart Challenge & American Heart Challenge, we’re proud to support schools by providing the tools they need to ensure students and staff are prepared to respond in a cardiac emergency. ❤️

Learn more:

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 6, 2026 — Cardiac emergencies can happen without warning in classrooms, in hallways and on athletic fields — and when they do, every second counts. More than 23,000 children experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital each year...

06/03/2026

Students, parents and teachers in Virginia agree: a healthy breakfast is essential for young people to learn, grow and thrive! Thank you to Amy Lacey and WTVR CBS 6 News for highlighting the movement to guarantee school breakfasts to all Virginia public school students, regardless of their ability to pay.

Check out the segment to learn more about why this issue is critical in Virginia and how schools can play an essential role in the health of our kids. http://spr.ly/6188B8Zr0a

And be sure to follow American Heart Association - Virginia for more updates!

“Start Heart Smart: Breakfast for Better Days” highlights the impor...

06/02/2026

Join us and MedStar Health for a CPR and AED learning event, happening this Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at Montgomery Blair High School!

Learn more and RSVP:

Wellness event in Silver Spring, MD, United States by MedStar Health on Saturday, June 6 2026 with 246 people interested.

06/01/2026

Cardiac arrest can happen anywhere but each of us has the power in our hands to save a life.

You don’t need medical training to save a life with CPR. You need knowledge, courage and willingness to act. This , remember: the power is in your hands. Take one minute to learn Hands-Only CPR.

PLUS: Join us at the Greater Washington Region Heart Walk, happening on November 7 at the National Mall – every walker who joins, every dollar donated, means more people trained in lifesaving CPR, more research and more lifesaving moments for everyone.

Thank you to Leidos for your support!

05/31/2026

DC, meet your newest heartthrob 💛🐘

Baby elephant Linh Mai just made her debut at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute — the first elephant born there in nearly 25 years

Last year, we crowned pandas our heart health icons… 🐼❤️

But elephants might have something to say about that 👀

🐘 Strong, steady hearts (literally!)
🐼 Experts in rest, relaxation, and stress-free living

❤️ Your turn: Who’s the real heart health MVP?