Steps to a healthier life!

We are always asking our lawmakers to vote one way or anther and you do a great job of helping us spread our message. But we thought now would be a good time to make sure they know how to prevent heart disease or stroke in their own lives.

Let your lawmakers know that February is Heart Month and we're thinking of them!

February is American Heart month, a time to raise awareness about heart disease and how we can do things to prevent it. Cardiovascular disease is the number 1 killer in Arkansas, but it doesn't have to be that way. In fact we have just developed 7 Simple Solutions for healthy living. Here are some examples of them:

Exercise - walking just 30 minutes a day can improve your heart and increase your lifespan

Nutrition - trim things like fat, sodium, and cholesterol from your diet and reduce your risk of heart disease

Know Your Numbers - being aware of your weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels can allow you to manage your body. Know your numbers to control your risk.

Signs and Symptoms - chest pains could mean a heart attack and loss of feeling on one side of the body might indicate a stroke. Fast treatment is vital so know the signs and symptoms to take action quickly.

These are just a few things everyone can do to reduce their risk. Please check out http://mylifecheck.heart.org/ for more on the fight against heart disease and stroke. Remember to share this with your friends and family click here to share with your lawmakers.

Act Now!!

Last night a high school student and basketball player at Little Rock's Parkview High School fell to the floor unconscious. School personnel quickly worked to revive the young man who did not have a pulse. The young man is alive today because of the efforts of courageous bystanders and the use of a Defibrillator (AED).

Unfortunate incidents like these are why it is so important to fight for AED and CPR training in all schools. Luckily a tragedy was avoided, but it wasn't always like this at Parkview High. Three years ago another student was not so fortunate.

In January of 2007 Antony Hobbs, III suffered a heart attack at the same high school, in the same gym and died. During the 2009 Session a law was passed that requires AED placement and CPR training on every public school campus in Arkansas. The law was proudly named the Antony Hobbs, III Act to honor Antony.

However because of budget constraints some schools still do not have an AED on campus. Help us fight for AED and CPR training by telling your lawmakers to make funding a priority.

Click here to take action now! Thanks to everyone who emailed their legislators yesterday on this very issue.

A special thanks to the Hobbs family who fought for AEDs in schools over the past 3 years so other parents wouldn't have to suffer the loss of one of their children.

P.S. Be sure to check our blog for more updates on this and other stories. www.YouretheCureAR.blogspot.com.