Hospitals drive progress in Japan’s heart failure care

DALLAS, March 21, 2026 - Research shows the burden of heart failure is largest among people over 60 years of age, and Japan has the highest proportion globally of people over age 65.[1] Recent research suggests heart failure may impose a larger health care burden in Japan than is currently thought, signaling a need for improved screening and prevention, as well as earlier intervention with guideline‐directed medical therapies that improve clinical outcomes.[2]

The American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, today recognized three hospitals in Japan working to improve care for patients experiencing heart failure. The hospitals received Get With The Guidelines® - Heart Failure awards, which reflect their consistency in adhering to evidence-based treatment to improve care and outcomes.

The Get With The Guidelines - Heart Failure awarded hospitals include:

• Kyoto University Hospital, in Kyoto, which received a Bronze Plus award;
• Kyushu University Hospital, in Fukuoka, which received a Bronze Plus award; and
• Nagoya University Hospital, in Nagoya, which received a Bronze award.

The awarded hospitals are participating in a Heart Failure Center Certification pilot program that brings together several national university hospitals and a private university hospital identified by the American Heart Association and the Japanese Circulation Society across multiple regions of Japan as early adopters of the Association's international certification pathway. These new awards mark the first milestone toward achieving certification.

Through the pilot program, hospitals use the Get With The Guidelines® framework to support continuous quality improvement. This approach uses the gold standard of ongoing data collection, analysis and feedback to help care teams follow the most up-to-date, evidence-based treatment guidelines and improve care delivery.

"Get With The Guidelines has been adapted for use in hospitals across Japan," said Koh Ono, M.D., PhD, FAHA, professor in the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at Kyoto University Hospital. "Through participation in Get With The Guidelines and efforts toward obtaining American Heart Association Heart Failure Center Certification, hospitals are strengthening evidence-based practice and improving heart failure care nationwide."

The American Heart Association's quality improvement and certification programs continue to expand globally. The Association's international work is designed to help hospitals strengthen systems of care by tracking performance, benchmarking progress and continuously closing gaps between guidelines and day-to-day practice.

Learn more about the American Heart Association's international health care quality programs at heart.org/InternationalQI.

Additional Resources:

• American Heart Association International
• Follow AHA/ASA news on X @HeartNews

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public's health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.   

For Media Inquiries: 214-706-1173

Michelle Rosenfeld: [email protected]

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