August 11, 2026
Our stroke and heart care earn national recognition
The American Heart Association honors all 40 of our hospitals for following proven approaches to treatment and prevention.
When Harriet, a longtime Kaiser Permanente member, noticed her heart was beating faster than usual, she made an appointment with her doctor. (Harriet asked that her last name not be shared to protect her privacy.)
That’s when she learned she had atrial fibrillation, or A-fib, a heart condition that can raise the risk of stroke.
Harriet’s experienced care team helped her understand the condition and take steps to protect her health.
Stories like Harriet’s reflect the high-quality heart and stroke care that recently earned us recognition from the American Heart Association.
Honored for following proven care guidelines
Through its Get With The Guidelines® program, the American Heart Association recognizes hospitals that follow proven approaches to preventing and treating stroke and related conditions.
Hospitals can earn gold, silver, or bronze awards based on how well — and for how long — they meet the program’s quality standards.
In 2026:
- All 40 of our hospitals earned the Get With The Guidelines — Stroke Gold Plus award
- All 40 of our hospitals earned the Target: Type 2 Diabetes honor for extra efforts to improve diabetes care
Care that makes a difference
Harriet’s experience shows how early diagnosis and treatment can help lower the risk of stroke.
Reema Chugh, MD, Harriet’s cardiologist, recommended a blood thinner to help prevent blood clots. She also encouraged Harriet to eat healthier and get regular exercise.
Dr. Chugh’s recommendations were in line with the research-driven guidelines for A-fib treatment and stroke prevention that the AHA promotes and tracks. For more than 30 years, the AHA has said eating well, managing weight, and staying active can help reduce stroke risk.
“Dr. Chugh took the time to explain everything to me,” Harriet said. “She made sure I understood what was happening. I’m so grateful for the excellent care.”
Over time, those changes helped Harriet feel more confident managing her condition.
“It’s rewarding to see how treatment and healthy habits can work together to improve a person’s health and quality of life,” Dr. Chugh said.
Learn more about our high-quality cardiac care.
