Emergency Care

During the month of May, the American Stroke Association works hard to spread awareness of the signs of a stroke. You can share the following information with your audience to help them to spot the signs of a stroke, using FAST:
  
F.A.S.T. is an easy way to remember the sudden signs of stroke. When you can spot the signs, you'll know that you need to call 9-1-1 for help right away. F.A.S.T. is:
 
F - Face Drooping
A - Arm Weakness
S - Speech Difficulty
T - Time to Call 911 if you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms

• This public service announcement aims to communicate the importance of recognizing the often subtle signs of a stroke. The PSAs show that body language can communicate a wide range of emotions, but one of the most important things it can tell you is if someone might be having a stroke.  
• AHA President, Dr. Donna Arnett’s stroke story was published earlier this afternoon in USA Today. Donna’s account of the stroke she suffered while in her 20’s is a powerful reminder of the life-saving work that the AHA/ASA does every day, and especially during American Stroke Month, to fight the devastating impacts of stroke.  She is living proof that strokes are beatable and treatable.  The article from USA Today can also be viewed online here.

 Life’s Simple 7 and My Life Check
 
No matter what day it is, it’s never too late for all of us to make better choices for health. All you need is a goal, a plan and the desire to live better. Thanks to the science and research volunteers of the American Heart Association, we have created a simple way for you to know where you stand on the road to good health through seven steps all of us need to live healthy. 

Take the “My Life Check” quiz at www.heart.org/mylifecheck to get your own personal heart score and action plan that is customized to your lifestyle.

Through the efforts of the AHA and other stakeholder partners, Mission: Lifeline is having an impact on heart attack victims in North Dakota.  Doctors use data from an EKG to get a better picture of what`s going on before they treat the patient. In the past, the EKG was done when the patient got to the emergency room. Now, because of Mission: Lifeline, the EKG can be done in the ambulance and the results sent to the hospital.

Once the information from the EKG is obtained, it is transmitted immediately to a receiving hospital.  That vital information is verified by a cardiologist and the emergency department physician for an acute MI or STEMI. Hospital staff can then prepare for the arrival of that patient by ensuring their cath lab is availble and appropriate staff are in place. 

Recent KFYR news report outlines the impact that technology is having on heart care in North Dakota.  To read more, CLICK HERE.

May 8th was a busy day at Legislative Hall in Dover. As a special part of 2013 Delaware Advocacy Day, advocates were joined by 24 students from Cape Henlopen High School JROTC to not only advocate for CPR training as a graduation requirement, but to demonstrate how easy it is to learn by having the students train lawmakers in this lifesaving skill.

Following the training, advocates and students met with several legislators to also discuss increased support for biking and walking trails and support for the Million Hearts Initiative.  They concluded the day with a meeting with Governor Markell to thank him for his support of improvements in biking and walking trails, leading to the recent jump of Delaware from 10th to 5th most bike-friendly state. 

Thanks to all the students and advocates who made the day a success!

This is a critical time in Congress, as lawmakers work to allocate Federal dollars for the coming fiscal year.  Even in this difficult economy, there are several federally-funded programs that are vital to the heart and stroke community, and we need to let lawmakers know they must be made a priority.

One such program helps buy and  place automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in rural communities and trains first responders and lay rescuers in their use. The Rural and Community Access to Emergency Devices Program ensures those who live in rural areas or small towns have access to the tools that give them the best chance of surviving a cardiac arrest, but the program currently only has the resources to operate in 7 states and 1 U.S. territory.

Contact your lawmaker today!  Ask them to prioritize funding that saves lives.

Shouldn’t people in every state be given the best shot at surviving a cardiac arrest?  Communities with aggressive AED placements have increased survival rates from 10% to nearly 40%- an incredible improvement! But first responders, churches, recreation facilities and others in 43 states are still waiting for funds for this life-saving program.

As Members of Congress allocate funding, please contact your elected officials about the importance of this life-saving program TODAY!

Arden and Linda Warner North Dakota

Arden Warner, Rugby, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while entering a local business.  The heroic efforts of an off duty EMT and a county Deputy/EMT saved the 63-year-old man’s life.

Warner's wife, Linda, has been a You're the Cure Advocate with AHA for many years. She stated "he is one lucky guy – for those two trained EMTs to be in the same place as Arden. It’s just unbelievable!”

 When the EMT realized there was not a pulse, she immediately started CPR while the second EMT/Deputy went to get the AED from inside the Spirit Lake Casino. The AED shocked him a couple times before a rhythm was detected.

 Arden was flown to a Grand Forks hospital where a defibrillator was implanted and Arden is doing just fine now.  Linda said, “Our family is so very grateful for these two trained EMTs. They are very humble heroes, and we simply can’t thank them enough.”

As the American Heart Association continues to prioritize CPR training, especially for New York's high school students, we have come across some of the most amazing advocates who are working tirelessly to support our policy work.  But heroes come from every walk of life and anyone who is focused on CPR & AED awareness deserves our recognition.  Along those lines, the American Heart Association has decided to reinstate the NYC Heartsaver Recognition Program! 

These awards will help shine a spotlight on exemplary New Yorkers who've gone above and beyond the call of duty to help rescue someone.  Whether the rescuer is a trained responder or someone who was just lucky to be in the right place at the right time...we want to hear their story!  Please download the application here and send it back to our office by May 31st.  I look forward to hearing from you!

Download the application here.

Michele Beck Glen Ellyn, IL

When I was 33 years old, I went to see my doctor and told her that I had pains in my chest and shortness of breath. I am a petite woman and was thin and young. Therefore, my doctor didn't run one heart test. I continued to see her off and on for one more year. Then at the age of 34 I had a heart attack. I called the paramedics and they came to my house and told me I was having an anxiety attack. They graciously took me to the hospital where I had another heart attack in the ER. Since that date I have two stents placed in my heart. The medications I take are not made for a woman who ages and changes. Research is needed badly so that it can keep up with the changes a women's body goes through. I am thankful to be alive, I pray to live so I can see my grandchildren grow up. Research will increase my chance of reaching an old age. Without research my daughters and granddaughters will all suffer the same fate in life that I have suffered.

Thanks to Go Red For Women, I learned the value of Hands-Only CPR and in July of 2011, I used it on my husband who died of a sudden cardiac death and is alive and sitting next to me today as I type. This is the value of research and knowing CPR.  I recently had the opportunity to attend You're the Cure On the Hill, AHA's national lobby day and advocate for research funding and share my story with my lawmakers.  I am blessed by all of the people I met at the event and pray with my husband Gary that heart disease and stroke lessen each year and the million hearts we save grow up to each save a million more.

We need your help.  The bill to screen babies for heart defects needs to be placed on a committee agenda.  With two simple calls, you can help all babies have a healthy start.  This simple test called pulse ox, consists of sensors placed on a baby’s hand and foot to check low blood oxygen levels - a significant indicator of heart issues in babies.  New research suggests wider use of pulse ox screening could help identify more than 90 percent of heart defects.  In New Jersey, just hours after their law took effect, a newborn’s life was saved.

We now have lots of sponsors for the bill to ensure all babies are screened for heart defects with a simple pulse ox test.  The next step?  Placing it on a committee agenda.  We know many lawmakers will support this bill…but we don't know when or if it will come up for a vote so we need your help!

 Phone Call blitz for this Wednesday

Will you make two simple calls to help all babies have a healthy start?  We are asking everyone to make two simple calls today to help the pulse ox bill move out of committee.  It’s easy… You will simply leave a message and can use the notes below. 

 Call Senator Kemp Hannon at 518-455-2200

• Hello my name is….
• I’m a NYS resident and calling to urge you to place the pulse ox bill on the next Committee agenda
• If they ask you for the bill number, it is S270.

Call Assembly Member *** Gottfried at 518-455-4941

• Hello my name is….
• I’m a NYS resident and calling to urge you to place the pulse ox bill on the next Committee agenda
• If they ask you for the bill number, it is A2316

Additional Talking Points:

• If we can help save a child’s life, shouldn’t we? With pulse ox screening, it really is as simple as that.
• Pulse ox is quick and painless, but more importantly, it can save lives.
• Before a baby leaves the hospital, the pulse ox screening helps identify heart defects, potentially saving its life.
• Eleven other states now call for babies to be screened using pulse oximetry.  Why not NYS?
• Wider use of pulse ox screening could help identify more than 90 percent of heart defects.
• Congenital heart defects (CHD), are the most common birth defect in the U.S. and the leading killer of infants with birth defects.
• The simple, low-cost test, pulse oximetry, or pulse ox, consists of sensors placed on a baby’s hand and foot to check low blood oxygen levels - a significant indicator of heart issues in babies. 
• In New Jersey, just hours after their law took effect, a newborn’s life was saved. 

 Let us know you made the calls and how they go by replying to this blog! 

Students, teachers, first responders, American Heart Association volunteers and elected officials gathered at Jerling Jr. High-School in Orland Park on Monday to celebrate two terrific accomplishments: the conclusion of a CPR/AED training course that taught roughly 200 7th graders how to save a life; and a terrific Hoops for Heart fundraising effort to raise money for the AHA.  Guest speakers ranged from Orland Park Fire Dept. officers to Southpaw, the official mascot of the Chicago White Sox, and a good time was had by all.  The central take-away, made clear by AHA Advocacy Committee Member Lynne Donegan, was this:" every life is worth saving, and every one of us should learn how to save a life."  The CPR and AED training programs at Jerling JHS and elsewhere in Orland Park have the potential to save a lot of lives, and should be seen as a model for school systems across the state. Check out the Chicago Tribune's coerage of the event here. 

 As Congress considers funding proposals for federal programs, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) has offered an amendment on the Senate floor that would provide very modest increases for medical research, prevention and treatment programs of interest to us, including National Institutes of Health and the Rural and Community Access to a AEDs program, which increases survival rates for people who suffer sudden cardiac arrest. Senator Harkin’s amendment will help advance the mission of the American Heart Association.

ACTION NEEDED

The U.S. Senate is scheduled to vote soon, likely this evening- March 13th, on the amendment. Please take just 5 minutes to call your two United States Senators and ask them to vote in favor of Senator Harkin’s amendment. Simply dial the Capitol Hill switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to your U.S. Senator.  After being connected, ask for the health legislative assistant.  If you reach his/her voicemail, leave a short message. After hanging up from that office, please call the Capitol Hill switchboard again to be connected to your second U.S. Senator. 

Talking Points for your calls

• Hello.  May I please speak with the Health Legislative Assistant.
• (please leave a message if you reach voice mail)
• Hi, this is (name) from (city and state).  I am a volunteer for the American Heart Association.
• Please ask Senator (name) to vote in favor of Senator Harkin’s amendment to the Continuing Resolution.
• Passage of this amendment will help advance the fight against heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases, the No. 1 killer in our State and the most costly illness in the U.S.
• Specifically, this amendment will help the National Institutes of Health make continued progress against heart disease and stroke.  Also, it will help save lives of people who suffer from sudden cardiac arrest, a particularly deadly form of heart disease.  Thank you.

 Please be sure to report your call in the action center.