February is American Heart Month, a time to spotlight cardiovascular health and the everyday choices that can make a lasting difference. While heart disease remains the leading cause of death, up to 80% of cases are preventable, highlighting the need for individuals to take their heart health seriously.
Across Ascension, our teams are advancing heart health through prevention, innovation, and compassionate care. Below is just a snapshot of how our system is supporting patients and communities:
Clinical Research
Ascension’s access to patient data, and the ability to execute innovative trials, where multiple sites can collaborate to bring advanced treatment to patients, drives vital research to support cardiovascular health. By the end of FY25, Ascension completed 53 clinical trials and had 1,748 patients enrolled in cardiovascular trials.
In partnership with Penn Medicine, Ascension announced a landmark trial in December 2025 to test if fitness gamification can reduce the risk of heart disease — highlighting Ascension’s commitment to improving patient outcomes through clinical research. The fully remote study, run through the Ascension Clinical Innovation Institute, will enroll 18,000 adults across Ascension’s patient network who have an elevated risk of experiencing a major heart event within the next decade.
Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford launches new Structural Heart and Valve Center
In FY26, Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford launched a new Structural Heart and Valve Center, expanding access to advanced cardiovascular care for residents of Rutherford County and the surrounding communities. The program brings complex, life-saving treatments closer to patients, allowing them to receive specialized treatment without the burden of traveling outside of the region.
This launch represents a major milestone in the hospital’s long-term investment in cardiovascular services. In recent years, Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford expanded its interventional cardiac catheterization and outpatient cardiac imaging, introducing open-heart surgery in 2023, and has since completed more than 725 successful procedures. The addition of the Structural Heart and Valve Center further strengthens the hospital’s ability to serve the community, reinforcing its role as a premier heart health provider in middle Tennessee.
Ascension Seton raises awareness of heart health ahead of Austin Marathon
As runners across central Texas prepare for the Austin Marathon, Ascension Seton is partnering with the marathon to spotlight the importance of heart health and safe training. Through this collaboration, Ascension Seton’s leading sports cardiologist, Dr. Ryan Quinn, has created videos providing expert guidance and educational resources for athletes.
The series focuses on heart health for endurance, offering practical insights on recognizing warning signs, training safety, and when to seek care. By meeting athletes where they are, Ascension Seton is helping promote prevention, education, and proactive heart care tied to one of Austin’s most trafficked events.
Ascension hospitals recognized for efforts to improve heart disease and stroke outcomes by the American Heart Association
This year, 23 Ascension hospitals across the country have been recognized by the American Heart Association (AHA) for their commitment to improving outcomes for patients with heart disease and stroke. This recognition is a part of AHA’s “Get with the Guidelines" initiative, meant to utilize the wide expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to help ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research and evidence-based guidelines.
Hospitals earning this distinction demonstrate consistent adherence to clinical best practices. The recognition reflects Ascension’s ongoing dedication to quality, safety, and innovation in cardiovascular care, and to continuously improving outcomes for the patients and communities we serve.
See the full list here.
