The “Ignacio Chávez” National Institute of Cardiology (INCICH), part of Mexico’s Ministry of Health (Secretaría de Salud), has been officially certified as a Comprehensive Heart Failure Center by the American Heart Association (AHA) — one of the most recognized and respected cardiovascular organizations in the world.
This milestone makes the institute the first center outside the United States to receive such certification, which recognizes hospitals that meet the highest standards of quality, safety, and clinical excellence in the treatment of acute and chronic heart failure.
Founded in 1924, the American Heart Association is a global leader in cardiovascular science and clinical practice guidelines. Its hospital certification program evaluates institutions based on patient safety, quality of care, treatment effectiveness, interdisciplinary coordination, and measurable outcomes.
According to Mexico’s Ministry of Health, the certification process at INCICH involved an extensive external review assessing every level of patient care — from outpatient services and emergency response to hospitalization and long-term follow-up.
The goal, officials noted, is to improve patient quality of life and survival rates through a comprehensive care model that integrates cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, nurses, nutritionists, psychologists, and rehabilitation specialists.
Heart failure remains one of the world’s most pressing public health challenges. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 64 million people worldwide live with the condition, which is also a leading cause of hospitalization among adults over 65.
In Mexico alone, health authorities estimate between 750,000 and one million people suffer from heart failure, driven largely by the country’s high rates of hypertension, obesity, and diabetes.
Established in 1944, the “Ignacio Chávez” National Institute of Cardiology is among Latin America’s most prestigious medical and research institutions. Over the past eight decades, it has become an international reference center for advanced cardiac care, clinical research, and medical innovation.
Its achievements include the development of pioneering cardiovascular surgical techniques, heart transplant programs, and participation in global clinical trials for the management of heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases.
“This certification not only recognizes the quality of hospital care but also the commitment of our healthcare professionals to continuous improvement, research, and medical education,” the Ministry of Health stated in its official release.
With this recognition, Mexico strengthens its position as a regional leader in cardiovascular medicine and joins a select network of AHA-accredited centers of excellence around the world.
The certification also opens doors for international collaboration in clinical research, innovation, and training for medical professionals.
In a country where cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death, responsible for over 140,000 deaths annually, according to Mexico’s National Statistics Institute (INEGI), the AHA’s recognition of the National Institute of Cardiology represents a significant milestone for Mexico’s public healthcare system — one that highlights the nation’s capacity to provide world-class, patient-centered cardiac care.
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Mexican Press Agency is part of ALMA, which is dedicated to news and information about Mexico and Mexicans in the United States and is a fiscally sponsored project of Social Focus, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Redwood City, California.
