New Jersey

Smoking remains the number 1 preventable cause of death in New Jersey and throughout the U.S.  Yet, the State of New Jersey eliminated funding for it's Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program, which funded tobacco prevention and cessation efforts around the state.  The elimination of funding places NJ at 50 out of 50 states for funding tobacco control.

The American Heart Association is advocating for the passage of A2772/S1887, which would create tax parity between cigarettes and other tobacco products, such as cigars.  It is a little known fact that tobacco products other than cigarettes are taxed at a much lower rate than cigarettes, making them more attractive, especially to children.  This bill is expected to generate about $25 million in revenue which would be dedicated to tobacco control in New Jersey.

This Friday (February 1, 2013) the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association will kickoff American Heart Month 2013 with National Wear Red Day 2013!  This year's day of awareness is very special as we will be celebrating the 10 year anniversary of the Go Red for Women movement.

In 2003, nearly 500,000 women were dying of heart disease each year, yet very few women believed they were at risk.  At that time, heart disease was believed to be a "man's disease."  In 10 years we have made great progress.  Today, 21 percent fewer women are dying from heart disease each year and 23 percent more women correctly identify heart disease as the number 1 threat to their health.

Despite all this progress, we still have more work to do.  Heart disease is still the number 1 disease killer of women in New Jersey and across the country.  We urge all women and men to wear red on Friday, February 1, 2013 to raise awareness of heart disease and stroke in women and encourage those we love to educate themselves about the risk factors and the steps they can take to preserve their health.

Please join the American Heart Association in celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Go Red for Women movement by participating in National Wear Red Day on Friday.  Together, we can help the women we love to live longer, healthier lives!

Did you know that on average, American adults consume about 3,400 milligrams of sodium each day?  That is more that twice the American Heart Association recommended limit!   This excess sodium can lead to high blood pressure which increases your risk for heart disease and stroke.  Much of the sodium in the American diet is "hidden" in food that doesn't even taste salty

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Do you want to change your salty ways?  The American Heart Association wants to help.  We have recently introduced the "Sodium Swap Challenge," a program designed to help indivduals reduce their daily sodium intake in only 21 days.  The program targets "The Salty Six;" bread and rolls, cold cuts and cured meats, pizza, poulty, soup, and sandwiches.

The program challenges participants to make small changes each week for 3 weeks to reduce the amount of sodium they are consuming each day.  In the process, participants will learn how much sodium is in the foods they eat and how to make healthier choices for themselves and their families.

For more information about the "Sodium Swap Challenge," please visit our website at www.heart.org. 

I am so lucky. Everyday I get to work with the best volunteers and staff in the world.  Together we are able to help make our families and our communities more heart healthy and stroke-free. I want to make sure you know how thankful all of the AHA staff is for you and all of your actions.  Every time you click a take action link in an email,  you make a phone call to an elected official, tell a friend about You're the Cure, or visit this new website, You're the Cure!  All of your actions, along with the actions of your fellow You're the Cure members, make the real difference in our fight for healthy communities.

On Thanksgiving, I hope you have time to relax and enjoy the holiday with your loved ones. And please remember how thankful the AHA is for you each and everyday of the year.

Exciting?  Yes!  Ambitious?  You, bet!  Attainable?  Absolutely! The AHA & the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation are proud to announce a new collaboration aimed at reversing the childhood obesity epidemic in the U.S. by 2015.  And we’ll need your help!  Learn more http://bit.ly/QJ8gmk   What do you think?

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the advocates like you who have made your voices heard this year on legislation that will help improve preparedness and response to sudden cardiac arrest in New Jersey.  You actions have helped to make a difference in New Jersey.  Due in part to your action and dedication to this issue, lives will be saved.

In 2012, American Heart Association advocates have sent hundreds of messages to their elected officials in support of Janet's Law and an amendment to the Good Samaritan Law, and both passed with overwhelming support in the Legislature and were signed by Governor Christie.  These new laws will increase the availability of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in public places and encourage people to act during a cardiac emergency.  

As many of you know, October is Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness month.  Sadly, it is estimated that approximately 300,000 people die annually from SCA, making it a leading cause of death in the US and New Jersey.  Less than 10% of people who suffer SCA outside of a hospital will survive.  Janet's Law and the changes that were made to the Good Samaritan law this year are excellent first steps in reversing this trend.

Thanks again for all you do to support the American Heart Association.

Hi, my name is David Day and I am the Vice President of Government Relations for the American Heart Association’s “Founders” Affiliate.  The photo you see here is of me participating in the New England "Tough Mudder" race at Mt. Snow, Vermont earlier this past spring.  I wanted to share this with you to show that I believe that in addition to being an Advocate it is important that I lead through example and that I show what I can do to personally live a healthier life.
In my role I have the privilege of working with a great team of staff and volunteers from CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI and VT in promoting our public policy efforts to help all Americans achieve better cardiovascular health. From time to time I will be joining our Government Relations Directors and our volunteer leaders in posting information here that will help you be an even stronger voice in the fight against Heart Disease and Stroke and from time to time I will also share stories about how I am trying to lead by example – remember You’re the Cure!

The American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association are hard at work, advocating for life-saving policies from Trenton to Washington, D.C.

Your fellow New Jersey advocates have already accomplished some amazing things: pulse-ox testing for all newborns, good samaritan protection for those that perform CPR, and increases in physical activity for our kids . But this is only the beginning, and your help is needed to keep fighting heart disease and stroke.

This website is full of great information and ways for you to get involved and make a difference right away. You can easily contact your elected officials to speak out on heart and stroke issues in our action center. You can also sign up to attend one of our upcoming events.

I'm Corinne Orlando, your advocacy staff in New Jersey, and I want to get to know you! Share your story to let us know why fighting heart disease and stroke matter personally to you.

As part of You’re the Cure, we think you’ll truly enjoy the chance to meet fellow advocates, discuss heart and stroke policy with your legislators, and work together to come up with new ways to help our community stay heart healthy.

If we can help in any way, you can always feel free to shoot us an corinne.orlando@heart.org or give us a call at 609-223-3720.

Be sure to come to this site often for great opportunities to connect with other advocates in your area and stay up-to-date on the most important ways you can help promote stronger, healthier communities. And tell your friends to join us!

For a New Jersey that’s free of heart disease and stroke, You’re the Cure.

Robert Zimmerman Mantua, New Jersey

Pitman Police Chief Robert Zimmerman believed himself to be a healthy 46 year old: he doesn’t smoke or have diabetes and he had normal blood pressure. He did have a history of high cholesterol, but that had been addressed years ago and was under control. He has a history of heart disease in his family, but not in anyone as young as him.

In early April 2012, while watching his daughter perform with the high school concert choir, he experienced an episode of dizziness and felt as if he would faint. The feeling passed, so he was not concerned. However, throughout the next month, he suffered six more "episodes" of symptoms such as dizziness, chest pain and difficulty breathing. Since each passed rather quickly, he chalked it up to allergy symptoms.

In late April, Chief Zimmerman underwent a police department required physical. His EKG and blood tests were negative and he was cleared for duty. At the end of the appointment, he mentioned the "episodes" he was experiencing to his doctor. The doctor was concerned and referred him for further testing.

After receiving a stress test, Chief Zimmerman learned that his left anterior artery (LAD) was 98 percent blocked. This blockage can cause a serious, often lethal heart attack that is sometimes referred to as "the widowmaker." The first thing that he thought of after hearing the news is that he would not be around long enough to watch his two daughters graduate high school or spend more time with his wife.

Chief Zimmerman received a life-saving coronary double bypass the day after his diagnosis. He is recovering well and has returned to work full time. Although he was taking steps to keep himself healthy before, he has made changes to his diet, started walking three miles everyday and has lost 30 pounds. He hopes that by telling his story, others will learn to watch for the warning signs of heart disease and take action before it’s too late.

Pam Coleman Whitehouse Station, New Jersey

I was born with a congenital heart valve defect which was detected at birth. I had three open heart surgeries by the time I was 30. My first surgery was at age 7 to repair my valve. Unfortunately that was not successful and at age 13 my valve was replaced. Due to the blood thinning medication that I am on I was told that I would not be able to have children. As I got older my desire to have a child grew stronger. With my cardiologists’ approval, I was pregnant at age 30.

My experience being pregnant was definitely bitter sweet. Just eight weeks into my pregnancy I began to hemorrhage and was put on total bed rest for the remainder of my pregnancy. I was in and out of the hospital the entire time for pre-term labor, dehydration, and continued hemorrhaging. I had dreamt of this time for so long and now I had so many obstacles to overcome.

Then, at 33 weeks into my pregnancy, my symptoms began to change. I had problems breathing and laying down flat and sudden weight gain. I thought these were pregnancy symptoms but I could not have been more wrong.

When I went for my scheduled doctor’s appointment on December 26 I was told I was in heart failure. A blood clot formed on my aortic valve and prevented it from opening and closing. Doctors feared the clot would break off, travel to my brain, I would have a stroke and die instantly. Time was not on our side. After agonizing hours the medical team decided to deliver my baby via c-section and 24 hours later I would have open heart surgery to replace my mangled valve for the second time, thus my third surgery.

My son was born on December 28 and weighed in at 3 lbs 8 oz. I was told that I died several times and was brought back. I guess my determination to see my son outweighed how sick I truly was. After 10 days I was finally able to see my son for the first time.

I will always live with heart disease. There is no cure for me, however, with the help of the American Heart Association we can educate woman on how to prevent it. I am a Survivor Ambassador with the American Heart Association and together we can fight heart disease.