Heart to Heart

Pin Red For Women

2012-01-27T14:17:00.000-08:00

Are you on Pinterest? Help us spread the word about Go Red For Women, by joining us as one of the many people on Pinterest who "Pin Red For Women". It's super easy to show your support. Just choose one of the images below to pin, then tell your friends to do the same. If you're not on Pinterest, share this on Facebook.

Thanks!

American Heart Association Supports Trans Fat Legislation

2012-01-20T13:33:00.000-08:00

The American Heart Association (AHA) today released the following statement in response to recent articles published concerning Colorado trans fat legislation. The statement may be attributed to Susanna Morris, AHA Government Relations Director for Colorado.

“The American Heart Association is supporting efforts to eliminate trans fats in Colorado school food programs through SB-12-068. This bill requires the elimination of industrially produced trans fat such as vegetable shortening, margarine or any type of partially hydrogenated vegetable oil that contains more than zero grams of trans fat per serving. Schools would not be permitted to serve a food that contains any industrially produced trans fat in the preparation of a food item or beverage that is intended for consumption by a student in a public elementary, middle or high school. The intent of the bill is to protect children from the cardiovascular impacts of ingesting these industrially modified oils.

Contrary to published reports, the bill does not require schools to remove pizza, french fries or other fried foods from their menus. It simply requires schools to use healthier oils in food preparation that are a suitable and accessible alternative. This bill does require the elimination of trans fats in any meal provided by the school, such as school breakfasts, al a carte items, vending machines and after-school snacks must also be trans fat free. While this component of the bill has led to recent articles labeling the legislation as stringent or limiting, the American Heart Association views it as a comprehensive piece of legislation that will protect Colorado children throughout the school day, not just during the lunch period.

The AHA has long recognized the consumption of trans fats as a health risk to Americans and has worked to encourage the removal of trans fats from the restaurant and food industry. In 2006, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandated the Nutrition Facts label of all packaged foods must indicate the quantity of trans fats in a serving of the food product. These efforts have catalyzed food manufacturers to reformulate many of their products to decrease levels of partially hydrogenated fats. It has also resulted in an increased awareness about dietary trans fats among the general public, and has sparked actions by a number of cities and states to limit the use of trans fats in restaurant foods. Removing the use of trans fats in school foods is the logical next step in a continued movement towards a healthier state and a healthier country.”

The American Heart Association covers many areas when it comes to heart disease and stroke. The current priority is for quality physical activity and strong nutrition policies and programs and further research to effectively treat and prevent obesity. You may learn more about our efforts to fight obesity online or go to www.heart.org and search “obesity prevention.”

In addition to Morris, media may speak with the AHA’s Colorado-based national Director of State and Local Obesity Policy Initiatives, Carter Headrick.

image: http://newspapertree.wordpress.com/2009/04/07/npt-capitol-ban-trans-fat-stop-the-silent-epidemic-of-obesity/

Thank You and Happy Holidays

2011-12-20T14:22:00.000-08:00

Thank you so much for your "heart" work this year! Check out this video with highlights and successes from across the six states of our affiliate.

Have a very Happy Holiday Season and a Terrific New Year! We'll see you in 2012.

Turn the White House Red!

2011-12-12T13:33:00.000-08:00

25,000 signatures. That's what we need in the next 30 days (ends Jan. 4, 2012) for the White House to consider our petition to illuminate the building in red to honor National Wear Red Day® and American Heart Month.

The truth is we need you, our supporters, to show the White House how important it is to remember women who died from heart disease, celebrate women who have survived, and educate everyone on our No. 1 killer of women.

Every signature makes a difference, so sign up and share with colleagues, friends and family today! There are a few steps, but with your help we can get there!

1. Visit our special petition page on WhiteHouse.gov.

2. Create an account (we know, what a pain!)

3. Watch for a verification email.

4. Sign the petition.

5. Ask your friends, family and coworkers to sign up!

Click now to help AHA win (no registration required)

2011-12-05T12:05:00.000-08:00

CDW is giving away $250,000 among nine nonprofit organizations including the AHA. Visit the “Choose Your Charity” link and click for the American Heart Association. You don’t have to register or give your e-mail address, and you can click on it multiple times by refreshing the page. The more clicks we get, the more we receive from the $250,000 total. Contest ends Dec. 31 at midnight.

You can follow along with the contest on Twitter - just search the #CDWGIVES hashtag.

Thanks for helping us!

Citizen, Firefighters and MPD Officers Forge Chain of Survival for Houston Heart Attack Victim

2011-11-17T11:53:00.000-08:00

METRO Police Officers John P. Zepeda and Leonard Wagner were exactly the right guys, at exactly the right time to demonstrate, for us all, what the “chain of survival” really means. Thirty-six-year-old Christopher Gray became the example when he crumpled over at a light-rail station near the Texas Medical Center. An alert bystander lifted Gray from the tracks, shouting to signal Zepeda at the next platform. The officer had been waiting on a rail car with room for him and his canine partner. The space never materialized but this emergency did.

The emergency was a massive heart attack, triggering, as it turned out, a set of events that too often spell tragedy. Gray, a music critic for the Houston Press, can be seen in surveillance video collapsed on the train tracks as a Good Samaritan lifts him up and onto the rail platform and then calls to Zepeda for help. Zepeda responds quickly, continuing the chain of survival – clearing Gray’s airway, beginning chest compressions and enlisting the aid of fellow officer Wagner. The two can be seen alternating lifesaving maneuvers until Houston Fire Department’s EMS crews are able to take over.

METRO Police Chief Victor Rodriguez said, “The training first responders receive is critical to the performance of their jobs, but citizens have a vital role in making sure the links come together. It goes back to the staple “If you see something, say something,” and the reason an alert, engaged public is the first step in the chain of survival.”

The five links in the adult Chain of Survival:

Immediate recognition of cardiac arrest and activation of emergency response system
Early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with an emphasis on chest compressions
Rapid defibrillation
Effective advanced life support
Integrated post-cardiac arrest

A strong Chain of Survival can improve chances of survival and recovery for victims of heart attack, stroke and other emergencies. Medical teams at the Texas Medical Center were able to take over care with necessary specialized equipment, and training. Ask Chris Gray’s family and friends - who are now ready to welcome him back home - they’ll tell you. It worked for them.

Chris Gray Rescue Video from Village Voice Media on Vimeo.

What We're Up To...Because of You!

2011-11-15T07:00:00.000-08:00

Thank you for your support of the American Heart Association’s SouthWest Affiliate. Because of you, we are improving health and saving lives throughout Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming. We are so grateful to count you among our network of dedicated volunteers, donors, and partners.

Transforming Lives, One Step At A Time

2011-11-15T06:00:00.000-08:00

Cardiovascular health has few greater champions than Kenneth H. Cooper, MD, MPH of Dallas. Widely recognized as the “Father of Aerobics” and a pioneer of preventive medicine, Dr. Cooper’s impact on the American Heart Association has been profound. Since publishing his international bestseller, Aerobics, in 1968, Dr. Cooper has ignited a national passion for health and wellness. And in the four decades since, he has become one of the AHA’s most respected and influential volunteers.

Born, raised and educated in Oklahoma, Dr. Cooper’s roots run deep in the SouthWest Affiliate (SWA). After thirteen years of service in the U.S. military, he founded the Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas in 1970. Today, he works alongside his son, Tyler Cooper, MD, MPH, at the helm of Cooper Aerobics and its eight health and wellness entities. There, the Coopers devote their time to studying and promoting the links between cardiovascular fitness, health and longevity.

Dr. Cooper has said, “It is easier to maintain good health through proper exercise, diet and emotional balance than to regain it once it is lost.” Time and again, he has transformed that mantra into action on behalf of the AHA.

Dr. Cooper speaks to the crowd at the
Dallas Heart Walk.

In 1992, Dr. Cooper chaired the very first Dallas Heart Walk, which attracted some 450 participants and raised $50,000 for the AHA. In September of this year – nearly 20 years later – he served as the Dallas Heart Walk’s Honorary Chair and walked alongside 50,000 participants who helped raise a record-breaking $3.5 million for heart disease and stroke research. That made the 2011 Dallas Heart Walk the largest event in AHA history and one of the top ten charity events in the entire country!

SWA Vice President Amy Johnson said, “Dr. Cooper’s leadership has made a tremendous impact on the organization and the lives of others. He is a true champion of the AHA and continues to improve human health by participating in our Heart Walks and encouraging everyone to exercise.” You can listen to Dr. Cooper talk about the importance of our Heart Walks by viewing the video below.

Dr. Cooper has also played an integral role in our efforts to save lives through public policy. A staunch supporter of recent legislation to enact a statewide smoking ban in Texas, he made his case with many key lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

Dr. Kenneth Cooper and Smokefree Texas bill
author Rep. Myra Crownover discuss
messaging for the bill.

Joel Romo, SWA Sr. Director of Government Relations, said, “The public advocacy mission of the AHA could not have a better friend, advocate or practitioner than Dr. Cooper. He walked the halls and lobbied on our behalf, at times whispering in his patients’ ears – the lawmakers themselves – about the importance of our work. Dr. Cooper’s time and talent are greatly appreciated by the AHA Advocacy team and all public health stakeholders at the Texas Capitol.”

The Smoke-Free Texas legislation didn’t pass in 2011, but with the help of Dr. Cooper and others, our team took the bill further than ever before – passing the Texas House of Representatives, and coming just three votes short in the Senate. These efforts were recognized by the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation as the most effective anti-smoking campaign in the nation last year. And we have no doubt that Dr. Cooper will be back on the job when the State Legislature reconvenes.

Dr. Cooper likes to say that, “Fitness is a journey, not a destination. It must be continued for the rest of your life.” The AHA is grateful for Dr. Cooper’s support, and proud to be part of the journey.

Colorado Volunteer Wins National Award For Combating Childhood Obesity

2011-11-14T11:05:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, the AHA presented its prestigious Chairman’s Award honoring excellence in volunteer service to Stephen R. Daniels, MD, PhD, of Aurora, Colorado, for his leadership of the association’s campaign to combat childhood obesity.

Daniels, Professor and Chairman of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and the Children’s Hospital, received the award during the opening of the association’s Scientific Sessions 2011 in Orlando, Florida at the Orange County Convention Center. AHA National Board Chairman William H. Roach, Jr., of Chicago, presented the award.

Roach said Daniels, “a tireless advocate for the American Heart Association and its programs for more than 20 years,” has been “highly instrumental” in the development of the Healthcare Initiative of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. The alliance, forged in partnership with the William J. Clinton Foundation, is a centerpiece of the association’s strategic goal to markedly reduce childhood obesity by 2015 and empower youngsters nationwide to make healthy lifestyle choices.

“In his role as advisor shaping the Healthcare Initiative, Daniels contributed his extensive knowledge of the evidence base supporting effective approaches to preventing and treating childhood obesity, coupled with strategic insights into the motivation of healthcare providers and insurers,” Roach said. “His innovative efforts have been indispensable to the development of this initiative, whose numerous signatories include leading insurers and the American Academy of Pediatrics, and it now offers vital health benefits to more than two million children.”

Daniels’ volunteer service to the association also includes roles on many important committees and task forces including the Nutrition Committee and Committee on Atherosclerosis, Hypertension and Obesity in Youth. He is also a member of the Denver Division Board.

You can follow news from AHA Scientific Sessions 2011 via Twitter: http://twitter/com/#!/heartnews. Follow #AHANews2011.

Introducing 'Simple Cooking With Heart'

2011-11-14T10:20:00.000-08:00

The AHA is proud to partner once again with the world’s largest retailer, headquartered right here within the SouthWest Affiliate in Bentonville, Arkansas. Our friends at Walmart are funding a new national program called Simple Cooking with Heart, which encourages people to cook meals at home – for the sake of their hearts and their wallets. The program includes recipes, instructional videos, nutritional information, kitchen pointers, and kits for in-home cooking parties.

The initiative also features over 70 live cooking demonstrations from coast to coast. Our affiliate’s first such demonstration was held in North Tulsa, and by all accounts it was a big success!

In October, the AHA joined forces with the Taste of North Tulsa program, which every year draws more than 1,000 attendees to sample foods cooked from our Soul Food Cookbook. The event was held at a predominantly African-American high school in an underserved part of town, which is also a priority community for our educational programs.

Ten AHA volunteers attended the cooking demonstration to serve heart-healthy Tailgate Chili and explain how to prepare meals that are low in fat, sugar and sodium. Roughly 400 people sampled the chili and many were delighted to learn that something so healthy could taste so good! Even more attendees picked up heart disease and stroke brochures, recipe cards, and information about the upcoming Power To End Stroke gospel concert with Kirk Franklin (held November 3).

Additional cooking demonstrations are completed or on the books throughout the SouthWest Affiliate in Austin, Dallas, Fayetteville, Fort Worth, Houston, Little Rock, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa. You can contact your local AHA office for more information.

The Simple Cooking with Heart program is already making great strides by empowering consumers with the information and resources to make healthy choices. Thank you to the Walmart Foundation and to the many volunteers who have made these cooking demonstrations possible throughout the SouthWest Affiliate.

Visit www.heart.org/simplecooking to learn more.

The Chase Is On!

2011-11-14T09:49:00.000-08:00

This fall, the AHA introduced an exciting new initiative to advance our mission and generate revenue in smaller communities throughout the country. HeartChase has been described as “Amazing Race meets Minute To Win It.” It is a volunteer-led, community-wide competition for teams to solve clues and complete activities in a race to the finish line. The SouthWest Affiliate has already hosted a few HeartChase events, and one of the most successful to date was held in Enid, Oklahoma.

Thanks to the volunteer leadership of Jackie Kaiser, Kerri Johnson, and others, the Enid HeartChase attracted 40 participants and raised $12,000 for the AHA’s life-saving research and educational programs. The ten participating teams included the mayor, the CEO of the presenting sponsor hospital, and Philip Clover, a cardiac rehab patient who completed the entire course with his walker. What an inspiration!

The event received great local media coverage and was truly the model of a successful volunteer-run event, where local residents came together to share their passion for making their community heart healthy.

Jennifer Jones, the AHA staff member who helped coordinate the event, commented that participants used the words “rewarding” and “fun” over and over throughout the course of the Chase. And perhaps most encouraging is that many of them are already planning to come back next year. In fact, the Enid team has already set a date for 2012, as well as a goal of raising $100,000 over the next five years.

The HeartChase initiative is being led nationwide by Dr. Mary Ann Bauman, a physician in Oklahoma City and President of the SouthWest Affiliate. HeartChase events are an opportunity to promote fitness and demonstrate that physical activity and healthy eating isn’t all hard work. This new concept is just getting started, and we would love for you to be a part of it. If you’re interested in volunteering or participating in any of our upcoming HeartChase events, please contact your local AHA office.

Coming soon to a community near you!

Georgetown, TX – November 19
Kingsville, TX – December 3
McKinney, TX – February 11
Plainview, TX – February 24
New Braunfels, TX – February 25
Nacogdoches, TX – March 3
Muskogee, OK – March 24
Mesquite, TX – April 21
Santa Fe, NM – April 22

Spring Dates To Be Announced:

Arkadelphia, AR
Big Spring, TX
Brenham, TX
Cheyenne, WY
Conway, AR
Corsicana, TX
Fort Collins, CO
Fort Smith, AR
Gainesville, TX
Granbury, TX
Marshall, TX
Pueblo, CO
Sherman, TX
Victoria, TX
Wylie, TX

Knowledge Is Power

2011-11-14T09:29:00.000-08:00

Seven-time Grammy-winning gospel artist Kirk Franklin just wrapped up the first leg of our Power to End Stroke Gospel Tour, with electrifying performances in Tulsa, Houston, and San Antonio. The Gospel Tour was created to educate African Americans about their increased risk for stroke, as well as to help them recognize stroke warning signs and react quickly. The first leg of the tour attracted 6,800 attendees – which brings us nearly halfway to our goal of 15,000.

Our next set of concerts is scheduled to take place in the spring, so be on the lookout for upcoming concert dates in Oklahoma City, Little Rock, Austin, and Dallas/Fort Worth. In addition to the seven performances within the SouthWest Affiliate, the tour is expanding beyond our territory for the first time this year, with additional stops in St. Louis, Chicago and Kansas City.

Kirk has the San Antonio
crowd on their feet

Like in previous years, concert-goers hear an empowering message through music and Kirk personally challenges them to improve their cardiovascular health. AHA speakers also share their knowledge and testimony about stroke to encourage awareness and action. In Tulsa, Dr. Daryl Thompson, a local volunteer and national Power to End Stroke Ambassador Award winner, instructed attendees to act “FAST” when they see the stroke warning signs. This acronym stands for Facial weakness, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and Time to act.

Kirk speaks at the
San Antonio Heart Walk.

In addition to the concert’s educational component, Kirk is also helping us connect our mission to revenue by leading the audience in a special appeal. Audience members have been asked to donate $10 to the AHA on by texting “power” to 80088. After the first three concerts, we have received nearly 200 donations via text.

Kirk also made guest appearances at our San Antonio and Houston Heart Walks. He joined walkers and helped drive community Walk teams and overall participation on the day of the events.

Members of the Tulsa
concert planning committee.

As many social movements within the African American community have been rooted in the church, Kirk’s partnership with the Power to End Stroke Movement encourages people to strive toward a healthy mind, body and spirit. We are so grateful that Kirk is using his talent to advance our mission and embody the lifestyle of healthy eating and physical fitness. In addition to his success in the music industry, Kirk Franklin is the host of BET’s Sunday Best and author of New York Times Bestseller The Blueprint: A Plan for Living Above Life’s Storms.

Advances Mean Quicker Recovery for AHA Team Member Morgan Dean

2011-09-30T12:34:00.000-07:00

“Twenty-two years ago I was left with a large scar spanning across my entire chest to repair my heart; two weeks ago, the same procedure was completed through holes in my leg the size of a snake bite,” said AHA Houston based Corporate Market Director Morgan Dean.

At just 13 days old, Morgan’s tiny body went into respiratory arrest, which resulted in the diagnosis of a congenital heart defect causing supra-ventricular tachycardia (SVT). Physicians sought to control the rapid heart rate with medication that proved unsuccessful. At three years old, she required a cardiac ablation. In 1989, this procedure was life-threatening, her heart was stopped, and with the chest cut open, surgeons removed the problematic electrical pathway.

Following a recent visit with a cardiologist, Dean learned she had SVT again and was scheduled for the third cardiac ablation of her life. But this surgery was different. Instead of an experimental open-heart procedure, her heart’s electrical pathways were completely explored using electrical impulses shot through tiny catheters into her heart. It was done in one afternoon with her heart still beating throughout.

“Thank you to our generous donors, brilliant researchers, and staff members who work tirelessly so these advancements in cardiac electrophysiology can continue today. How is a condition that almost killed me just 22 years ago now easily repaired by any electrophysiologist in America? Because of the American Heart Association.”

Marathon Oil Corporation is the title sponsor, and media partners for the event include 1560 The Game, Health & Fitness Sports Magazine, H Texas and Fox Sports Houston. The grand ballroom will be filled with sports legends including the likes of Hayden Fry, former Iowa Coach, and 10th all time winningest coach in college football history, who will be crowned as the 2010 Lifetime Achievement Winner. Presenting the award to Fry will be Bobby Bowden. Also joining them will be some of the nation’s top football coaches patiently waiting to find out who will take home the coveted Coach of the Year Award, formally given to football greats such as Joe Paterno, Nick Saban and Mack Brown. The winner will be announced live at the annual awards dinner.

Marathon Oil Corporation is the title sponsor, and media partners for the event include 1560 The Game, Health & Fitness Sports Magazine, H Texas and Fox Sports Houston. The grand ballroom will be filled with sports legends including the likes of Hayden Fry, former Iowa Coach, and 10th all time winningest coach in college football history, who will be crowned as the 2010 Lifetime Achievement Winner. Presenting the award to Fry will be Bobby Bowden. Also joining them will be some of the nation’s top football coaches patiently waiting to find out who will take home the coveted Coach of the Year Award, formally given to football greats such as Joe Paterno, Nick Saban and Mack Brown. The winner will be announced live at the annual awards dinner.

Marathon Oil Corporation is the title sponsor, and media partners for the event include 1560 The Game, Health & Fitness Sports Magazine, H Texas and Fox Sports Houston. The grand ballroom will be filled with sports legends including the likes of Hayden Fry, former Iowa Coach, and 10th all time winningest coach in college football history, who will be crowned as the 2010 Lifetime Achievement Winner. Presenting the award to Fry will be Bobby Bowden. Also joining them will be some of the nation’s top football coaches patiently waiting to find out who will take home the coveted Coach of the Year Award, formally given to football greats such as Joe Paterno, Nick Saban and Mack Brown. The winner will be announced live at the annual awards dinner.

Marathon Oil Corporation is the title sponsor, and media partners for the event include 1560 The Game, Health & Fitness Sports Magazine, H Texas and Fox Sports Houston. The grand ballroom will be filled with sports legends including the likes of Hayden Fry, former Iowa Coach, and 10th all time winningest coach in college football history, who will be crowned as the 2010 Lifetime Achievement Winner. Presenting the award to Fry will be Bobby Bowden. Also joining them will be some of the nation’s top football coaches patiently waiting to find out who will take home the coveted Coach of the Year Award, formally given to football greats such as Joe Paterno, Nick Saban and Mack Brown. The winner will be announced live at the annual awards dinner.

Check Out Our New Short Film "Just A Little Heart Attack"

2011-09-13T07:21:00.000-07:00

Emmy-nominated actress Elizabeth Banks directs and stars in the first-ever Go Red For Women short film “Just a Little Heart Attack,” inspired by the real-life stories of women who have been affected by heart disease. “Just a Little Heart Attack” shares a glimpse into the seemingly normal routine of a busy mom caring for her family: preparing breakfast for her young children and loving husband (Colin Egglesfield, Something Borrowed); finishing the laundry; helping with homework; and getting an early start on her own busy work day. The morning is quickly turned on its side when Mom (Banks) finds herself stumbling through her kitchen as she ignores the warning signs of a heart attack. Banks uses her comedic talent to charm the audience while, ultimately, delivering an invaluable message about the possible consequences for women who ignore their risk of heart disease.

“As women, we take care of everyone in our lives: our husbands, our kids, our mothers, our fathers, but we never look at ourselves,” said Banks. “So this little film is about a super mom who takes care of everyone except herself and learns the lesson that she better look at herself, as well.”

A staggering one in three American women suffers from heart disease, yet only one in five believes she is personally at risk. This disconnect can leave many women unmotivated to act and even to treat heart disease. Go Red For Women asks you to Make It Your Mission to fight the No.1 killer of women. Visit Facebook.com/GoRed today to watch the short film and share it with 5 women you love.

Do You Know the ABCs of PCIPs?

2011-08-26T11:07:00.000-07:00

As kids go back to school, families are balancing a lot, from shopping for school supplies to scheduling vaccinations and sports physicals. Fortunately, one thing that families no longer have to worry about is accessing health coverage for children with pre-existing conditions.

Insurance companies can no longer limit or deny coverage for kids up to age 19 because of a pre-existing condition – a health problem, disease or disability that the child developed before their parents applied for health coverage. And starting in 2014, individuals of all ages cannot be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition.

In the meantime, Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plans are available for those who have been denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition and who have been uninsured for at least six months. To learn more, read about the ABCs of PCIPs or check out your state page for details.

Big Tobacco Sues FDA Over New Cigarette Warning Labels

2011-08-17T14:05:00.000-07:00

Four out of five of the largest U.S. tobacco companies have filed a lawsuit against the federal government over claims that required new warning labels violate the tobacco companies' right to Free Speech. The new labels were announced in June (see video below) and include graphic photos of a smoker's corpse, diseased lungs and a tracheotomy patient.

Read more about the lawsuit, and voice your opinion over the cigarette warning labels.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Heart Disease Impacts the Young Also: One Survivor's Story

2011-08-16T13:59:00.000-07:00

Hassan desperately gasped for a breath of air; as he fell to the ground from unbearable, pounding and pulsating pressure residing in the center of his chest. He was a successful entrepreneur, only 29 years old, with a perturbed reality of an unhealthy heart. Unfortunately, there is an epidemic that is contributing to the death and mortality rate among many Americans each year. From preliminary data and statistics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), once again, named heart disease the leading cause of death in the United States for 2010. Luckily, Hassan escaped this statistic and lived to tell his story, contradicting the many misconceptions of heart diseases and conditions “only” affect the “older” generation. Hassan Bawab, the CEO and Founder of Magic Logix, found himself undergoing a serious heart surgery at a young age and hopes his story can help aid the younger generation to prevent heart failure.

Read the full story here.

Get Your Hands On Hands Only CPR

2011-08-02T13:56:00.000-07:00

Learning Hands-Only CPR is now even easier. Just go to http://click.heartemail.org/?qs=65b2303deb3314d77e7c7151551d245d65d3f732d97f681665563ae88dbc8a75for a new digital application that walks you through the two steps of Hands-Only CPR: calling 9-1-1 and pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest until professional help arrives. You try it out on a female or male torso that you choose from a gallery of bodies. When you're done, you can share the application with friends and family via Facebook or Twitter.

Seventy percent of Americans feel helpless to act during a cardiac emergency because they either don't know how to administer CPR or their training has significantly lapsed. But performing Hands-Only CPR on adults who suddenly collapse can more than double their chances of survival.

To learn more about the application and Hands-Only^TM CPR, including a one-minute instructional video, visit handsonlycpr.org.

Houston Volunteer to continue as chair of Consumer Health and Quality Coordinating Committee

2011-07-28T13:45:00.000-07:00

American Heart Association volunteer James Postl will serve for a second consecutive year as chairperson of the AHA's Consumer Health and Quality Coordinating Committee. The committee, made up of volunteer leaders from medicine, business and other fields, provides expert input to help guide AHA initiatives including Get With The Guidelines, Mission: Lifeline, Food Certification and healthy behavior change campaigns including Teaching Gardens and Food Revolution Kitchens.

Postl, the retired CEO of Pennzoil-Quaker State Company, is a member of the Council of Overseers for the Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University in Houston. Prior to joining Pennzoil, he was CEO of Nabisco International.

An AHA volunteer since 2000, Postl is a member of the AHA's Board of Directors and International Committee. He was the 2000-01 chair of the Houston Heart Walk and served as board chair for the Houston Division in 2002-03 and 2003-04. He is also a member of the SouthWest Affiliate Board of Directors.

Meet Our New Affiliate Board Members for 2011-12

2011-07-08T13:57:00.000-07:00

On July 1, the SouthWest Affiliate welcomed six new Affiliate Board Members for 2011-12. We are excited to have the leadership of these accomplished and committed volunteers. These six join our current board members, including:

Ron W. Haddock, Chairman - Dallas, TX
Mary Ann Bauman, MD, President - Oklahoma City, OK
James Fullerton, Chairman-Elect - Denver, CO
John Warner, MD, President-Elect - Dallas, TX
Scott Copas - Little Rock, AR
John Dornblaser - Tulsa, OK
Don Hultgren, CFA - Dallas, TX
Mariella de Jong - Houston, TX
J. David Port, PhD - Aurora, CO
James Postl - Houston, TX
Sandra Thomas, CPA - Dallas, TX
Neil Tofsky - Houston, TX
David Wheeler, MD, PhD - Casper, WY

Welcome aboard!

Myron Hinsdale, DVM, PhD

Assistant Professor of Physiological Sciences

Oklahoma State University

Stillwater, OK

Myron will serve concurrently as the SWA Research Committee Chair. He has been a member of the affiliate research committee since 2002, including the past year and a half as Vice Chair. He is a primary investigator for a number of ongoing research projects and an active reviewer for the Journal of Biological Chemistry; Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine; Glycobiology; Laboratory Animal Research Journal, National Academy of Sciences; Comparative Medicine, and Journal of the American Association of Laboratory Animal Science. Myron holds a BS in Biology, a DVM in Veterinary Medicine, and a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Pathology.

J. Randall Wright, MD

Director of the Neurovascular Institute, Conroe Regional Medical Center

Medical Director of the Stroke Recovery Care Unit, Health South Rehabilitation Hospital

Greater Houston, TX

Randy will serve concurrently as the SWA Stroke Committee Chair. His medical practice is focused on general neurological disorders with a special interest in epilepsy, stroke and sleep medicine. He has served as Chair of AHA’s Montgomery County Division, and is active in several of our mission-related activities. He is a member of the Texas State Advocacy Committee, a national AHA advocate, Chair of the African-American Outreach Task Force since 2006, and a Power To End Stroke Ambassador since the inception of the campaign. He is also a passionate speaker and educator on the signs and symptoms of stroke.

Maricela Wilson, RN, BSN

Stroke Outreach Coordinator

Seton Family of Hospitals

Austin, TX

Marcie will serve concurrently as SWA Health Equity Committee Chair. She has been one of our Health Equity team’s most dependable and active volunteers for over 8 years. She has served on the Hispanic Outreach Task Force and is a leading Power to End Stroke Ambassador. Marcie was also selected last year as one of the featured women for the AHA’s national Go Red Campaign. She has significant experience utilizing AHA’s stroke resources and products and is a respected leader throughout Texas in stroke education for patients. Marcie was recently selected as a member of the national American Stroke Association Advisory Committee and is the incoming Chair of the Texas CVD Council.

James Willerson, MD

President

Texas Heart Institute

Houston, TX

Jim is the Immediate Past President of the Houston Division and has played a critical role in elevating the local volunteer leadership within the market. He is one of the most widely respected cardiologists in the nation, and has helped open numerous doors for the AHA, in both fundraising and mission. Among his many accomplishments, he helped secure a recent $400k gift for Advocacy in the Houston Division for the Houston DINEs initiative. Jim is also the longest serving editor of Circulation, the premier journal of the AHA, and has been honored with the AHA’s most prestigious national volunteer award, the Gold Heart Award.

Kent Ferguson

President

HealthCare Facilities Development Corp.

Austin, TX

Kent is currently Chair of the Austin Division Board and has played a critical role in bringing the market to new heights. He has been instrumental in rebuilding the local board and has recruited a number of key volunteers who are positioned to make a significant impact in the Austin area. Kent chaired the 2010 Austin Heart Walk and led the campaign to its best results to date, raising over $450k. His company, HCFD, is a nationally ranked, full-service commercial real estate company that specializes in providing the healthcare industry with comprehensive real estate services throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana.

Chuck Fehlig

Chief Merchandizing Officer & Partner

Blue Ocean Innovative Solutions

Rogers, AR

Chuck is an active AHA volunteer in Northwest Arkansas. He and his wife, Suzy, chaired the 2010 Northwest Arkansas Heart Ball and helped secure several new sponsors. Chuck has also served on local ELTs and has played a pivotal role in recruiting strong chairs for several AHA events and opening doors throughout the business community. He leads a retail and healthcare consulting group that develops broad strategic global relationships between retailers and manufacturers. Prior to this position, he retired after 27 years as Vice President and Divisional Merchandise Manager of Over-the-Counter Merchandise for Walmart Stores, Inc.

Obesity Study Released - Colorado Least Obese, Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma in the top 12 Most Obese

2011-07-07T11:34:00.000-07:00

The latest obesity report, F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future 2011, from the Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) was released today, and adult obesity rates increased in 16 states in the past year and did not decline in any state. Twelve states, including Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas now have obesity rates above 30 percent. Four years ago, only one state was above 30 percent. Colorado has the lowest obesity rate and is the only state with a rate under 20 percent.

The report also highlighted the fact that obesity statistics are still being drawn along racial and ethnic lines, as well as educational and economical lines. This report brings into sharper focus the need for the American Heart Association's mission related programming, including Start! at Work, our teaching gardens initiative, more walking paths, and a greater focus on health and wellness.

Read the full report.

State reports:

Dallas Businessman Ron W. & Sandi Haddock Donate $1 Million to the American Heart Association

2011-06-23T08:06:00.001-07:00

Dallas businessman Ron W. Haddock and his wife, Sandi, have announced a $1 million unrestricted gift to the Dallas Division and the SouthWest Affiliate of the American Heart Association (AHA). The gift will be used to encourage others to give additional unrestricted gifts through Haddock Challenge Grants at AHA events in Dallas, including Cotes du Coeur International Fine Wine Auction and Celebrity Chef Dinner gala, the Dallas Heart Walk and the Dallas Go Red For Women luncheon. A portion of the funds will establish the Ron W. Haddock International Award to recognize outstanding contributions to the Association’s global efforts. Remaining funds will be used to spur leadership giving across the SouthWest Affiliate, which serves a six state region including Texas, Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Wyoming.

The $1 million gift was announced in Dallas at the 2011 Gold Heart Banquet, which honors outstanding volunteer leaders and serves as the official “passing of the torch” to the new slate of National officers for the volunteer-led organization. When the gift was announced, Haddock, who is the retired CEO and president of FINA Incorporated and currently serves on six corporate boards and as chairman for three corporations, took the stage to recognize his family and to thank AHA staff and volunteers.

Hangover 2 Star Ken Jeong Wants You to Save a Life!

2011-06-16T12:06:00.000-07:00

You have the power to save a life in your hands literally. And since 80% of victims of sudden cardiac arrest collapse at home the person you may save is most likely to be someone you love. The American Heart Association can help.

Check out the video below where Hangover 2 star Ken Jeong suits up to tell you how to save a life. Pass on the message, then sign up today to get trained in CPR and make a donation now so we can continue our lifesaving work. For the next few weeks, we're giving away all sorts of prizes to those who donate to our CPR campaign...and they're cool prizes, like an iPad 2, t-shirts signed by Ken Jeong, tickets to the Ellen Show, GLEE CDs signed by Chris Colfer and more!

Make Texas Smoke-Free Today!

2011-06-10T12:19:00.000-07:00

On Saturday morning a House committee approved the Smoke-Free workplace bill 19-1, now it’s time for the Senate to act. There has been no movement on this issue from the Senate since the start of the Special Session. In fact, over the last six years, the Texas Senate has never voted on this issue. Not even once. Outside of a handful of Senators that have spoken out publically, 31 of the most powerful people in Texas have never taken a position on the most pressing health issue in our state.

Removing secondhand smoke from workplaces would reduce heart disease and stroke in our state while saving taxpayers at least $31 million in Medicaid expenses every two years.

The entire House and Senate still need to vote on this issue before the special session comes to an end. Take action today to tell lawmakers the time is now for Smoke-Free Texas. Then share this video with a friend.

Learn How to Save a Life Today

2011-06-03T12:05:00.000-07:00

It's CPR Week! Take a minute and watch this video to learn how to save a life by using Hands-Only CPR. This livesaving action is important because:

Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in the U.S.
Everyone should know how to perform CPR in an emergency
Immediate, effective CPR could more than double a victim's chance of survival.

To perform Hands-Only CPR, first call 9-1-1, then start pushing on the chest at a rate of at least 100 beats per minute (or to the beat of the Bee Gees 1977 hit "Stayin' Alive") and you could save a life. Watch the video below to learn more or learn more on our website.

Then watch our very own Alex Paterson on KDFW/Channel 4 in Dallas/Ft. Worth teach the co-anchors Hands-Only CPR.

Good Day Way: How To Do CPR: MyFoxDFW.com