Nebraska

A new scientific statement from the American Heart Associations reminds physicians and people with congenital heart disease that regular physical activity is still important and should be promoted.

Congenital heart disease (heart structural problems existing since birth) is estimated to affect more than 859,000 children and 850,000 adults in the United States.

According to the statement, while some irregular heart beat conditions may require a restriction in physical activity, “for most, physical activity can be unlimited and should be strongly promoted.”  Most patients with congenital heart disease are relatively sedentary.  But the physical, psychological and social health benefits of physical activity are important for this population which is at risk for exercise intolerance, obesity and other diseases, according to the statement. The recommendations for activity promotion are based on general recommendations for physical activity for healthy children and adults because only a limited amount of research on physical activity among congenital heart disease patients has been done.

 The statement will be published in Circulation, a journal of the American Heart Association. For the latest heart and stroke news, follow us on Twitter: @HeartNews.

Heart Walk is the American Heart Association’s national campaign to get America moving. The Heart Walk is a non-competitive walk that celebrates those who have made lifestyle changes and encourages many more to take the pledge to live healthier lifestyles while raising the dollars needed to fund life-saving research and education, advocate for health and save lives.  Join us this year at the Lincoln Heart Walk! Bring your energy, your passion and your stories - let your footsteps be heard!

The Heart Walk will be held on Saturday, April 27th at Pioneers Park in the Pinewood Bowl.  Gates open at 8 am and the walk will begin with opening ceremonies at 9:30.  Come out early and enjoy healthy food, music, vendor booths, etc.  Walk for someone you love who has experienced heart disease or stroke, or walk to support the mission of the American Heart Association. 

The Nebraska legislative session continues to debate bills of significance to the AHA and our advocates.  Advocates are encouraged to ensure their voice is heard on these issues.  Visit our Action Center to take action on alerts related to increasing the tobacco tax, congenital heart defects screening for newborns, and CPR as a graduation requirement.  The session will draw to a close by the end of May.  The time to get involved is now to ensure lawmakers prioritize the cardiovascular health of all Nebraskans. 

The Nebraska Unicameral continues it works this week on a number of issues supported by the American Heart Association.  With several weeks remaining in the session, it is important to continue advocate engagement and involvement in these issues.  We are pleased with positive action on our congenital heart defects screening bill which moves to its Final Reading.  Other issues that we are continuing to work on include CPR, tobacco tax and obesity prevention funding.  Advocate involvement is critical in keeping these issues moving toward the Governor's desk.  Visit the Action Center often and take action on alerts as they are published.  Thank you for all you do to improve the cardiovascular health of all Nebraskans. 

Advocates from around the state descended upon Lincoln earlier this month to raise awareness for heart disease and stroke, and to advocate for a number of important issues.  Advocates participated in an advocacy briefing before walking to the Capitol and meeting with their state senators.  Senator Smith stepped off the floor of the senate to visit with advocates about his support for LB 225, a bill that would ensure all newborn babies are screened for critical congential heart defects before leaving the hospital.  The visit to the capitol concluded with a photo in the capitol rotunda. 

Cole Klein was born with a critical congenital heart defect and at 10 years old, has had 3 open heart surgeries and various other medical procedures.  Cole testified before the Senate Health and Human Services committee on LB 225 which would ensure all newborn babies in Nebraska are screened for CCHD before they leave the hospital.  The chair of the Committee, State Senator Kathy Campbell, told Cole he was the youngest person to ever come before her committee since she’s been the chair (for 5 years).  Toward the end of his testimony, Cole asked the committee to please pass the bill “to give kids like me a chance.”  

Encourage support for LB 225 to give all kids like Cole a chance! 

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the American Heart Association (AHA) have announced an ambitious and bold collaboration to reverse the nation’s childhood obesity epidemic by 2015.

In 2007, the RWJF committed $500 million toward its goal of reversing the childhood obesity epidemic by 2015. This remains the largest commitment any foundation has ever made to the issue. Building upon the AHA’s extensive advocacy capacity and experience, and RWJF’s strategic commitment and momentum in addressing the issue, RWJF will provide AHA $8 million in initial funding to create and manage an advocacy initiative focused primarily on changing local, and state policies to help children and adolescents eat healthier foods and become more active.

The currently unnamed initiative begins in February 2013 and presents extraordinary leadership opportunities to save young lives, restore family health, and ultimately improve the quality of life in communities across the United States. Collaboration and cooperation with a diverse array of organizations will be central to success. Under the new initiative, RWJF and the AHA will focus on policy interventions to advance six priorities that research shows are likely to have the greatest impact on childhood obesity.

The AHA will develop the overarching strategy that knits together efforts across all six priorities:

•           improving the nutritional quality of snack foods and beverages in schools;

•           reducing consumption of sugary beverages;

•           protecting children from unhealthy food and beverage marketing;

•           increasing access to affordable healthy foods;

•           increasing access to parks, playgrounds, walking paths, bike lanes and other opportunities to be physically active; and

•           helping schools and youth-serving programs increase children’s physical activity levels.

As part of this initiative, RWJF and the AHA are committed to reaching communities hardest hit by the epidemic, including communities of color and lower-income communities.

Ginny Curley Nebraska

At 6am on Monday, July 12, 2010, my husband awoke to hear me gasping for breath.  When he tried to wake me, I stopped breathing.  As a healthy 42 year-old, I never expected he would have to save my life.  Thanks to my husband’s training in CPR and the calm reassurance of the 911 operator, he was able to keep blood moving to my vital organs until the paramedics could arrive.  They were able to get me stabilized and in the ambulance thanks to the AutoPulse that was on their rig.  I now have an ICD, but I continue to advocate for friends and family to learn CPR as that is what truly saved my life.  As others have said, most cardiac arrests and heart attacks occur at home. It is a friend or family member who will be saved with CPR.

Barb Miller Nebraska

My father is a survivor. My grandmother was not. These two facts have fueled my passion for the American Heart Association for over 20 years. I became a volunteer after my dad - already a quadruple bypass veteran - received a heart stent. American Heart Association-funded research is why he's here today celebrating family birthdays, anniversaries and life itself. When the association launched Go Red For Women a few years ago, I couldn't have been more eager to get involved. My grandmother, who often complained of heartburn, died of a heart attack at age 61, before heart disease was considered a woman's health issue. I'm proud to be a Go Red woman and raise my voice so this generation is empowered to fight our No. 1 killer. I'm also proud to raise funds so the association can continue funding lifesaving research. I've worn many hats for the association: local and affiliate board member, national committee member, Heart Ball chair, National Lobby Day delegate and event planner. But the most important title I'll have is lifetime volunteer.

Cole Klein, 10, was born with a serious congenital heart defect that wasn't caught until he suffered congestive heart failure at 53 days old. His mother, Tiffany Mytty-Klein, explains why she believes that a screening at birth could save kids like Cole from serious complications or death. A measuure in the Nebraska Legislative session could ensure that all newborns are screened for heart conditions before they leave the hospital.  To read more, CLICK HERE.