Today is World Stroke Day!

Did you know that one in every six people worldwide will have a stroke during their lifetime?

Stroke is the third-leading cause of death in the United States and the second-leading cause of death in the world. Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States suffers a stroke. Find out what you can do to Act Now by using American Heart Association and American Stroke Association tools and resources at www.powertoendstroke.org/tools-risk.html.

The World Stroke Organization also wants you to Act Now by taking on these six challenges to lower your stroke risk:

- Know the risk factors for stroke that you can do something about — high blood pressure, diabetes, and high blood cholesterol — and work to keep them in a healthy range
- Be physically active and exercise regularly
- Adopt a healthy diet.
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Avoid cigarette smoke. If you smoke, seek help to stop now
- Learn to recognize the warning signs of a stroke and how to take action

"How do my donations to the American Heart Association make a difference?"

Thinking about making a donation to the American Heart Association but you don't know how the money is used? Your donation can make a difference! When you donate to the American Heart Association, you are joining us in the fight against our nation’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers – heart disease and stroke. Your donation will support such life-saving efforts as research, education, advocating for better health, improving patient care and reaching populations at risk.

$5 can provide resources for one of 200,000 You're the Cure volunteers to encourage their local, state, and federal lawmakers to make changes on important issues such as menu labeling and state health programs.

$10 can make it easier for people to find AEDs in public places. This donation covers the costs of placing nine identification stickers in public places, directing people to these devices that can save someone's life. Congress mandated the public placement of AEDs in response to AHA lobbyists.

$15 can reach 100 African-American or Hispanic individuals with heart disease and stroke prevention information, and encourages them to participate in Search Your Heart, our cultural health program.

$30 can educate two healthcare providers via webinar about Get with the Guidelines -- Outpatient or any of our programs that continually improve clinical care.

$40/month for a year sends a doctor or scientist to the International Stroke Conference to learn the latest advancements in the treatment and prevention of stroke.

Every donation, big or small, helps the AHA work towards its mission of building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

The 2010 Guidelines for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care are here!

CPR is as easy as C-A-B! Watch our YouTube video to learn about the changes to the Guidelines for CPR released on October 18th- so you can be prepared to perform CPR and possibly save a life.

Check it out at www.youtube.com/americanheartassoc!

For more information, visit www.heart.org/cpr.

American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown Supports Efforts to Ensure Health Coverage for Children with Pre-Existing Conditions

In a recent news relsease, AHA's CEO Nancy Brown said, "Too often, our nation’s vulnerable populations face enormous difficulties securing quality and affordable coverage in the health care system. Many children born with congenital heart disease or stroke have been unable to obtain health insurance coverage in the non-group market because they have a pre-existing medical condition. Today, Health and Human Services Secretary Sebelius reminded states and insurance companies of their role in ensuring children and their families have health coverage options secured under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act."

Read the full statement here.

Help Bring Prevention Programs to More States!

We know Members of Congress face tough choices on spending in this difficult economy. They need to understand how important preventing heart disease and stroke is to the American public. With its limited resources, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) spends just 16 cents per person on heart disease and stroke prevention each year. That isn't enough! Send a message today in support of funding for the CDC's Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program.

The Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program saves lives by educating Americans about heart disease and stroke and helping them control certain risk factors such as blood pressure and cholesterol. It also helps improve emergency response and quality of care for heart disease and stroke patients.

Learn more and take action today at http://www.capitolconnect.com/yourethecure/takeaction.aspx.

It's Crunch Time for Childhood Obesity... Reauthorize the Child Nutrition Act This Year!

Today, our nation's kids are struggling to maintain healthy lifestyles, complete with proper nutrtion and physical activity. But through the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act, Congress can be part of the solution. Please do your part to get the job done on the Child Nutrition Act this year and ensure that the final bill includes:

• Increased funding for the school meal programs to help improve nutrition standards
• Restrictions on the junk food sold in cafeterias, snack shops, and vending machines
• Guidelines to strengthen local wellness policies that establish the nutrition and physical activity goals of school districts

Support the Child Nutrition Act and help it get passed when Congress reconvenes after the November midterm elections! Contact your representative today through www.capitolconnect.com/yourethecure/fastaction.aspx?AlertID=17866.

Find a Heart Walk near you!

The Start! Heart Walk brings communities together in celebration of progress in the fight against heart diseases and stroke. This inspirational day is filled with energy, excitement, and hope!

The funds you raise in Start! Heart Walk will support projects like these:

• Putting up-to-the-minute research into doctors' hands so they can better prevent and treat heart disease among patients


• Groundbreaking pediatric heart and stroke research to help save the lives of the 36,000 babies born with heart defects each year


• Getting live-saving information to those who need it most--information that can save a life, like how to eat better, how to recognize the warning signs of a heart attack, and how to talk to a doctor about critical health choices.

The American Heart Association's Start! Heart Walk has a new website that now makes it easier to find cities and nationwide teams. This site also hosts a community team page with heart health information, provides opportunities to share personal health stories, and sends fun e-cards to friends and family. Visit now at http://www.startheartwalk.org/!

The American Heart Association recommends regular physical activity in order to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Sign up for a Heart Walk today and don't forget to visit the You're the Cure booth!

Story of Hope: Jessica Neary

Check out the most recent AHA Story of Hope! Jessica Neary's battle with heart disease began when she was 10 months old. Today, she's a teenager, still suffering from the effects of Kawasaki disease. Read her story to learn why she's been an active advocate for improving our nation's health care system.

Read more about her story at www.heart.org/HEARTORG/General/Stories-of-Hope_UCM_001809_Article.jsp.

Donate today to help people like Jessica, or become an advocate with You're The Cure. You can also get involved with one of our many causes, like Go Red For Women, Start! Heart Walk, or Power to End Stroke. Try taking a CPR class or volunteer in your local community!

Former American Heart Association Chairman Appointed to National Health Care Workforce Commission!

Do you want an adequate and well-trained health workforce to meet your family's health needs? So does Neil Meltzer!

The American Heart Association is pleased to announce that former Chairman of the Board Neil Meltzer has been selected to serve as a member of the National Health Care Workforce Commission.

But what is the National Health Care Workforce Commission and what does it do? The commission was created under the new health care reform law and acts to ensure that we have an adequate and well-qualified health care workforce to meet the current and future health care needs of all Americans.

Neil Meltzer has proven to be a valuable You're the Cure champion, advocating for the interests and needs of health care consumers and patients, including those with heart disease and stroke, throughout the congressional debate on health care reform. In this new position, Melzer will have the opportunity to continue his work on behalf of all You're the Cure advocates!

Congratulations Neil!

Want to read the complete press statement? It's available at www.newsroom.heart.org/index.php?s=43&item=1131.