Wisconsin

American Heart Association volunteers from around the state gathered in Madison on May 7th for a day of advocacy.  Attendees spent the morning learning the issues then hit the Capitol for meetings with lawmakers to discuss Senate Bill 104 and Assembly Bill 111, legislation that would ensure all newborns in Wisconsin are screened for congenital heart defects prior to hospital discharge. Since May is American Stroke Month, we also educated lawmakers on how to recognize and act if someone is having a stroke.

You can click here to watch a news segment on the event, and be sure to check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AmerHeartWisc to see all the great photos from the day!  Thanks to all of our advocates who made the trip to Madison - You're the Cure!

Here's a great opportunity for anyone in Milwaukeee to learn Hands-Only CPR - there are still two training opportunities available!

Click here for more information and to sign up for a training!

By the end of 2013, 6,000 Milwaukee residents will be turned into lifesavers at Learn Hands-Only CPR Milwaukee thanks to a grant awarded by the American Heart Association and Cities of Service, a bipartisan coalition of more than 150 mayors who have committed to using service to address pressing local needs. 

The City of Milwaukee has been given 1,000 Family and Friends CPR Anytime^® Kits as part of a 3 year, $4.5 million grant from the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation. 

The Office of Mayor Barrett is working with the Milwaukee Fire Department, Milwaukee County EMS and the local American Heart Association to train 1,000 individuals in Hands-Only CPR^TM at various sites throughout the city. These individuals will each pledge to train five other residents this year using the provided training kit.

About the Training:

• The training takes about 25 minutes. 
• Participants will need to be able to inflate their own mannequin and kneel on the ground.
• Each person who registers will receive a free CPR Anytime kit to take with them when they complete the training.
• Each participant agrees to use their kit to train at least 5 additional people.  Family, friends, neighbors or coworkers.
• Kits contain all materials in English and Spanish, however not all training event will have Spanish instructors.

Here's a great new resource for you to check out!  You can visit http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/, click your state and then see where your county stacks up against others when looking at morbidity or mortality, or numerous different health factors.  Do you live in one of the healthies counties or one of the least healthy?  No matter where you land, you can always visit our AHA Action Center and contact your lawmakers about making your state a healthier place to live, work and play!

Good news!  Governor Scott Walker recently issued an official proclamation recognizing February 2013 as American Heart Month and February 1, 2013 as National Wear Red Day! 

"Wisconsin collects the eighth highest cigarette tax in the nation but spends less than one penny of every tobacco tax dollar on efforts to help smokers quit and discourage young people from picking up the habit."

Click here to read the rest of the story: http://www.jsonline.com/features/health/high-smoking-tax-but-aid-gets-butt-of-budget-318jl6j-189762881.html

Thoughts?

Kimara Ellefson Wisconsin

They told me that I would not survive to see my 30th birthday.

When they found my heart defect in my early twenties, they told me that I would not survive to see my 30th birthday. Today, I am 38. That's eight years of life that are a gift thanks to the amazing research that the American Heart Association funds through generous donations from people like you!  In those eight years I have held and loved 5 nieces and nephews, traveled the world to help the poor, sponsored more than 20 children, and simply lived, laughed and cried with my family and friends.  That's why I give both of my time and money to the American Heart Association.  I give in honor of those 8 years and I give in honor of those who have not been given that same gift. Will you join me today?  Will you give the gift of life to someone like me?  Thank you so much!

"Governor Scott Walker today announced grants totaling $3,388,573, which will assist 17 Wisconsin communities with Safe Routes to School projects in 2013. The federally-funded reimbursement program encourages children in grades K-8 to walk or bike to school, when safe and practical."

Click here for more information: http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/opencms/export/nr/modules/news/news_3746.html_786229440.html

This is great news for kids and parents in Wisconsin!  Safe Routes to School allow for kids to walk to ride their bikes to school in a safe environment.  American Heart Association volunteers help advocate for this important program every year by contacting their lawmakers in Washington, DC.

The opportunity to choose a President comes only once every four years, but the opportunity to choose a healthier lifestyle comes every day.

Wednesday, Nov. 7 is National Eating Healthy Day, a call out by the American Heart Association to raise awareness for the importance of good nutrition and making the best eating decisions.

While Americans will be analyzing the results of the election, it will be a good time for them to commit to leading a healthier lifestyle.  Obesity contributes to a number of leading risk factors of heart disease, including higher cholesterol, higher blood pressure and increased risk for diabetes.

The American Heart Association recommends a diet that:

• Is rich in fruits and vegetables
• Contains whole-grain, high-fiber foods
• Includes fish twice a week, especially oily fish like salmon or albacore tuna
• Includes lean meats
• Includes fat-free (skim) or low-fat (1%) dairy products
• Minimizes beverages and foods with added sugars
• Has little or no added salt
• Limits alcohol intake

You can join the Start Eating Healthy movement by visiting www.heart.org/starteatinghealthyday to register and receive tools that will help you share the message that eating healthy leads to longer, happier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. And of course, you can help the American Heart Association ask Congress to protect the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable program in schools by clicking here!

Wanda McQuiston Wisconsin

My story...

My name is Wanda McQuiston.  In July of 2002, I was waiting for my bus with my husband, but plans changed.  I experienced sudden cardiac arrest while at the bus stop.  Luckily, someone who was with us dialed 911 and an ambulance came right away.

At the hospital I was in a coma for a day and night.  I ended up needing to have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to regulate my heart rhythm.  In 2005, the unit needed to be replaced, and then in the fall of 2012, I underwent the procedure again.

In 2011, I was stricken once again with *** Cancer, but I am grateful to say I am in remission.  Each day, I wake up grateful that I am here still and able to help others.  I enjoy life with my husband Allen on our farm, spending time with our pet dogs and talking parrot. 

Michelle Demeuse Wisconsin

My Story...

I was in the eighth grade and was sitting at home doing homework and watching my mother make fried chicken.  I had watched her paced back and forth from the kitchen to the bathroom and finally into our formal living room where she was holding her left arm, perspiring and asking for me to find a pillow and help her lie down.  Even for a little a girl, I knew that something was wrong with my mother.  She was having a heart attack.  That was 1986.  She had 5 bypass surgery and barely made it out alive.  Between 1986 and 2003, my mom was in and out of the  hospital having a pace maker put in, a stroke, shocking her heart  back into place and changing medication by IV every six months.  Also, my father had 5 bypass surgery during those years and so did my brother at the age of 38.

My total existence has been centered around hospitals and knowing about heart disease and what it can do to a family.  I lived in fear wondering when my dear mother would pass away from her heart failing.  She was always in the hospital, on medication and seeing her cardiologist.  It all just became part of my every day life.

My dear brother now is in his late 50's and has had his fair share of heart problems and even on the verge of being on the heart transplant list.

So in my family, it is all hereditary.  I am now 39 years old, and I have had my first appointment with my own cardiologist and had a day filled with cardio testing.  Today is a whole lot different then when my mom had heart problems.  She was told it was stress, or diet or smoking, but at her age, it couldn't be her heart.  I went in and my doctors were very concerned for my well being and that they had so many new tests to try on me since that days of my mom.

I had my calcium score done and a nuclear stress done.  All because of the knowledge and the funding that the American Heart Association and now the cardiologists take heart health seriously.

My mother passed away in 2003 of congestive heart failure when I was 29 years old.  I miss her her so much, but I am proud of her and knowing of my family's heart history doesn't scare me any more. My cardiologist told me that if new testing becomes available they will let me know, but as of now, I show a healthy heart and will be monitored and taken seriously from now on.

Thanks to the American Heart Association for taking my fear of heart disease and turning it into a time of hope and peace!!!