The American Heart Association is turning 100 in 2024, but their work is far from finished. Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the U.S.

Briana Johnson from the Duluth branch shared about the organization’s accomplishments, challenges, and future focus.

“There’s been a lot of advance in medication and research and patient care, but there’s so much to be done,” Johnson said. “The sad statistic is that nine out of 10 people that have an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest right now will not survive. So we are on a mission to make a nation of lifesavers.”

Even kids as young as 3rd grade are strong enough to learn and perform CPR. The AHA has developed a simplified hands-only CPR, which people can even learn online.

Women are a particular focus because for a lot of reasons, females tend to put off taking care of their own health.

The Northland Heart Walk is coming up Sept. 28 at the Fitger’s Courtyard and on the Lakewalk. It’s a free event.