Showing posts with label American Heart Association. Show all posts
Showing posts with label American Heart Association. Show all posts

Friday, February 1, 2019

Little Hats, Big Hearts Program Raises Awareness About Congenital Heart Defects

Posted on February 1, 2019
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI

More than 3,000 newborn babies will be able to keep their heads warm this winter thanks to the American Heart Association’s ‘Little Hats, Big Hearts’ program.

Every year, hundreds of volunteers lovingly craft tiny red hats to donate to hospitals during the month of February, which is recognized as American Heart Month.

Heart Disease remains the number one cause of death in the United States and in the State of Indiana and congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the leading birth defect in newborns.

According to information provided by the American Heart Association, approximately 1 out of every 110 babies is born with a CHD and about 25 percent of those cases require an invasive surgery within the first year.

The Little Hats, Big Hearts program is meant to raise awareness about heart problems, such as congenital heart defects, while simultaneously offering new parents information about leading a heart-healthy lifestyle.

Thursday, May 3, 2018

This Useful Acronym Can Help you Spot Stroke Symptoms FAST

Posted on May 3, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI

May is recognized as Stroke Awareness Month and the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association have provided a useful acronym to keep in mind to help people act FAST when a stroke is suspected. Remembering the acronym ‘F.A.S.T’ can help people recognize the signs of a stroke.

‘F’ stands for Face; if a person suddenly has drooping on one side of their face, this is a telltale sign that a stroke may be occurring.

The ‘A’ in the acronym stands for Arm; it could be a warning sign if someone reports sudden weakness in one arm.

The ‘S’ stands for speech since slurred speech is another key sign of a stroke.

The final letter ‘T’ stands for time to call 9-1-1, which is what you should do immediately if an individual is exhibiting any of these warning signs.

Neurologist Dr. Jeffrey Hillburn mentioned that in most cases, a stroke is treatable but time is of the essence. Dr. Hillburn explained that strokes cause blood flow to be cut off from the brain. Every minute it goes untreated, millions of brain cells die, which is why it is vital to contact 911 if any person shows symptoms of a stroke.

Dr. Hillburn added that every year, nearly 800,000 people have a stroke but officials are working to educate people that strokes, just like heart disease, are preventable.

Since high blood pressure is one major risk factor, Hillburn said people should take time to get their blood pressure checked and talk with their physician about how to keep it under control. Other preventive measures include quitting tobacco use, exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

Saturday, November 11, 2017

American Heart Association Seeks Donations for the Little Hats, Big Hearts Program

Posted on November 11, 2017
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI

Can you knit or crochet? Your skills are needed to help the American Heart Association with their Little Hats, Big Hearts program.

Now through December 31st the AHA is collecting knitted or crocheted red baby hats to distribute in Indiana hospitals in the month of February, American Heart Month. The program is meant to raise awareness of heart disease, the number one killer of Americans and congenital heart defects, the most common birth defect in the country.

They are seeking hats for newborns and preemies made of red yarn that is either cotton or acrylic, medium to heavy weight that can be machine washed and dried. Don’t worry if you’re not the knitting or crocheting type, yarn can also be donated to the cause.

This is the third year of the program and last year, 3,000 hats were delivered to more than 40 Indiana hospitals.

Donations can be sent to the American Heart Association in Indianapolis at 65000 Technology Center Drive, Suite 100. To view some helpful hat patterns or to find out more about the initiative, visit Little Hats Big Hearts

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

American Heart Association Provides Handmade Red Baby Hats to Hospitals

Posted on February 6, 2017
Author Mary Perren, WKVI

More than 3,000 babies born in Indiana in February will be decked out in red hats, thanks to the American Heart Association. The “Little Hats, Big Hearts” program aims to raise awareness during American Heart Month as well as Congenital Heart Defects Week, which runs Feb. 7-14.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and in Indiana, and congenital heart defects are the leading birth defect in newborns. The program raises awareness of both conditions.

Volunteers lovingly knitted the hats by hand. They were delivered recently to hospitals across the state.

Volunteers who would like to donate materials or knit hats for next year, or hospitals that would like to participate can call the American Heart Association 317-732-4700.

Friday, December 30, 2016

Cardiac Arrest vs Heart Attack

From Starke Hospital:  Think you're having heart trouble? DON'T WAIT. Get to the ER fast! Thanks to the American Heart Association for this great infographic.

Saturday, October 22, 2016

Red Hats Collected for American Heart Month

Posted on October 22, 2016
Author Tyler Maffitt, WKVI

The American Heart Association has started a campaign to raise awareness of heart-related diseases.

Now through December 31st, newborn and premature-sized red knitted or crocheted hats will be accepted at American Heart Association locations for the second annual “Little Hats, Big Hearts” campaign.

It’s designed to bring awareness to heart disease and heart-related birth defects. They are considered by the group to be one of the top killers of Americans, annually.

Similar hat collection events are taking place in states across the country through the end of the year. Volunteers often participate by knitting the hats themselves. The American Heart Association has templates for patterns and materials available on their website with more information about the campaign.

Last year, the non-profit collected more than 5-thousand hats from Hoosier participants to give to Indiana newborns. Those hats were distributed to 40 hospitals throughout the state.

Following the collection drive, hats will be given to newborns in Indiana during February – which is American Heart Month – to finish the campaign.

Monday, June 1, 2015

6/1-7/2015 National CPR Week: Stayin’ Alive with the Hands-Only CPR Procedure

Published: June 1, 2015
By: Jacque Ryan, WKVI


In the time it takes you to brush your teeth, you could learn how to save a life. Preparation is important, especially considering the fact that 70 percent of all out-of-hospital cardiac arrests take place at home. June first through the seventh is recognized as National CPR week. The American Heart Association is using these seven days to reiterate the importance of knowing CPR and raise awareness about hands-only CPR. With funding from the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield foundation, the American Heart Association released a music-based training video displaying the simplicity of the steps required for hands-only CPR. If you witness a teen or adult collapse step one is to immediately call 911. Step two is to push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the rate of at least 100 beats per minute. That may sound like a lot but it just so happens to sync up to the beat of the classic Bee Gees’ song “Stayin’ Alive.” If performed immediately hands-only CPR can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival. Accidents happen all the time, be prepared to assist those in danger with stayin’ alive.

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Hoosiers Encouraged to Go Red for Women

Published: February 5, 2015
By: Mary Perren, WKVI

Hoosiers are encouraged to wear red tomorrow to raise awareness of the number one killer of women in America. National Wear Red Day is part of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Movement, which is a month-long effort to raise awareness of heart disease.

The annual celebration began in 1963 and is marked each year with a presidential proclamation paying tribute to researchers, physicians, public health education professionals and volunteers for their tireless efforts in preventing, treating and researching heart disease.

The American Heart Association estimates one in three women die from heart disease, which is largely preventable. Find more information online at www.goredforwomen.org.