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CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings' Hearts Beat for Good Heart Health

February 21, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN, MS --- The Mississippi RiverKings will show the team ‚¬â„¢s heart for women ‚¬â„¢s heart health on Friday, February 25th, when the team will spotlight the American Heart Association (AHA) as its M.V.P. Nonprofit Organization, emphasizing AHA ‚¬â„¢s "Go Red for Women" campaign.

Gay Smith, Regional Director of the American Heart & Stroke Association - Greater Southeast Affiliate, has a personal connection to the cause.

"Heart Disease is close to my heart as I have lost immediate family members due to this horrible disease," Smith said. "I want to be sure others are aware of the risk factors of heart disease. In my role with American Heart Association, I can have a direct impact on those I come in contact with on the awareness of Heart Disease. Each and every person can help, starting simply by taking care of his or her personal health, like visiting www.heart.org/mylifecheck to take steps to a healthier you."

The American Heart Association has led research, technology, public policy, hands-on training and awareness initiatives in the past decade that have saved millions of lives.

"Every time a person goes to their medicine cabinet, the AHA is there in the medicines they take; when someone calls 911, the AHA is there inside the ambulance in the response time, the procedures followed, the equipment in the ambulance that is used and the treatment they receive; when a child goes to school, the AHA is there in the snacks offered to them and the PE options provided to them to prevent obesity," Smith said.

"The AHA has also led a unified educational effort to educate women and health care professionals about the leading cause of death in women - heart disease. More women die of heart disease than the next four causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer. Heart disease kills about one woman every minute."

AHA has advocated to place AEDs (automated external defibrillators) in public places such as airports, golf courses and malls. AHA science was responsible for the development of AEDs and the AHA lead the efforts to educate the public about sudden cardiac arrest and the need for rapid response using AEDs.

"Only an electric shock can restart a stopped heart," Smith said. "For each minute without defibrillation, a cardiac arrest victim ‚¬â„¢s odds of survival decrease by 7-10 percent. AEDs save lives."

The American Heart Association has funded research that led to many medical breakthroughs, including pacemakers, artificial heart valves, cardiac stents, CPR, the development of the heart lung machine that makes bypass surgery possible, and blood pressure and cholesterol-lowering drugs.

AHA has helped hospitals provide better treatment for 2 million (and counting) cardiac and stroke patients by helping hospitals conduct treatments according to evidenced-based guidelines proven to improve health outcomes, from procedures followed, to equipment used, to the education with which the patient is discharged.

"It is through AHA science, review and professional writing groups that the guidelines are developed for treating cardiovascular disease and stroke patients," Smith said. "AHA also worked with the Centers for Medicare/Medicaid to increase the reimbursement to hospitals from $ 700 to $7000/$9000 making it feasible for hospitals to use the TPa treatment for stroke patients."

Similarly, AHA science is responsible for the guidelines that all CPR courses are based on, and the organization has trained people of all ages. Effective bystander CPR, provided immediately after cardiac arrest, can double a victim ‚¬â„¢s odds of survival. The AHA ‚¬â„¢s "CPR Anytime" products train people in this lifesaving skill in just 22 minutes.

AHA has led the fight for clean indoor air in public areas such as workplaces, bowling alleys, restaurants, pubs, etc. Research shows that heart attack rates drop immediately following implementation of a smoke-free law, reaching a 17% reduction after one year and about a 36% reduction after three years.

The AHA lobbied the FDA to add nutrition information on foods. AHA now identifies and labels foods low in fat, sodium and calories, because a healthy diet is a key weapon in the fight against heart disease. AHA also helped reduce the calories children consume at school.

"According to a 2010 report from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, there has been an 88% decline in calories in soda and other beverages shipped to schools since a three-year agreement with the major beverage companies, such as the Coca-Cola Company, Dr. Pepper/Snapple Group and Pepsi-Co, Inc.," Smith said.

AHA hosts many types of volunteer events, from Heart Walks, fundraising galas, Go Red for Women luncheons, public speaking, and even events for children at schools such as Jump for Heart and Hoops for Heart. To get involved contact Smith at 662.455.5343 or gay.smith@heart.org, or call the Memphis office at 901.383.5400.

The RiverKings ‚¬â„¢ M.V.P. (Money-Volunteers-Publicity) designation includes an emphasis on helping organizations raise money, encourage volunteerism, and generate publicity about the organization ‚¬â„¢s mission in the community.

The Mississippi RiverKings are supported by their community partners, season ticket holders, fans, and by program-related investments of the Maddox Foundation, an independent private foundation based in Hernando, Miss. To find out more about the RiverKings, call 662.342.1755 or visit www.riverkings.com.



Central Hockey League Stories from February 21, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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