AHA CPR & BLS Certification in Colorado
Founded in 1924, the American Heart Association writes the resuscitation science the entire CPR industry follows. GreyKardia teaches AHA courses on-site anywhere in Colorado.
View ClassesOver a Century of Lifesaving Science
The American Heart Association was founded on June 10, 1924, by six pioneering cardiologists who believed scientific research could lead to better treatment of heart disease. What began as a small scientific society grew into one of the most influential public health organizations in the United States.
The AHA funded the foundational research behind modern CPR, demonstrating that closed-chest cardiac massage could sustain life after cardiac arrest. It published the first CPR guidelines in 1966 and has updated them ever since, most recently with the comprehensive 2025 Guidelines for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care published in its flagship journal, Circulation.
The AHA works in close partnership with the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR), a global consortium of resuscitation organizations, ensuring its guidelines reflect the best available international evidence. All other certifying bodies, including Red Cross, HSI, and ProTrainings, align their curriculum with AHA and ILCOR science.
The Scientific Authority
the Industry Follows
The Source of the Science
The AHA writes the scientific guidelines the entire CPR industry follows. It is not just a trainer. It is the primary scientific authority for resuscitation worldwide.
Required by Name at Hospitals
AHA BLS, ACLS, and PALS are required by name at the majority of US hospitals and health systems. Many credentialing bodies specify AHA cards specifically, not just equivalent training.
Peer-Reviewed Guidelines
AHA publishes its guidelines in Circulation, a peer-reviewed medical journal, ensuring full scientific transparency and accountability.
Global ILCOR Partnership
AHA works with the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation, ensuring guidelines reflect the best available evidence from resuscitation organizations worldwide.
Instant Verification
AHA eCards include a unique ID and QR code, allowing employers and credentialing bodies to instantly verify certification status online.
Two-Year Validity
AHA certifications are valid for two years, aligning with standard clinical employment and credentialing cycles across healthcare settings.
AHA Courses Offered
Through GreyKardia
Heartsaver Series: Community and Workplace
Heartsaver CPR AED
For anyone who needs CPR and AED training for work, school, or community readiness. No medical background required.
Heartsaver First Aid
Covers first aid essentials for workplace and community settings including wound care, illness response, and emergency action.
Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED
Combined course covering CPR, AED use, and first aid skills for lay rescuers in any setting.
Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid CPR AED
Designed for childcare providers, teachers, and parents. Covers infant and child CPR, AED use, and pediatric first aid.
Healthcare Provider and Advanced Clinician
BLS (Basic Life Support)
The most widely required clinical CPR certification in the United States. Designed for healthcare professionals in clinical settings.
ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support)
For advanced clinicians managing cardiovascular emergencies. Covers rhythm recognition, airway management, and resuscitation algorithms.
PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
For healthcare providers who respond to pediatric emergencies. Covers systematic approach to pediatric assessment and resuscitation.
PEARS (Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition, and Stabilization)
For healthcare providers who need to recognize and stabilize pediatric emergencies but do not manage resuscitation independently.
From the General Public
to Advanced Clinicians
AHA certifications span the full spectrum from community lay rescuers to advanced healthcare professionals. The Heartsaver series requires no medical background. The healthcare provider track is the credential most commonly specified by hospitals, health systems, EMS agencies, and clinical credentialing bodies across the United States.
Healthcare professionals: nurses, physicians, paramedics, and allied health staff requiring clinical BLS
Nursing students and medical students entering clinical rotations
Hospitals and health systems requiring AHA-specific certification for credentialing
EMS agencies and first responders requiring ACLS or PALS
Workplace teams and community members seeking Heartsaver certification
Childcare providers, teachers, and parents needing pediatric CPR training
GreyKardia offers AHA courses across Colorado, at your location or ours. Find a class that fits your schedule.