New Mexico Residents Learn about AEDs

Last week the American Heart Association partnered with the YMCA, REI and the American Red Cross to hold a community health and safety event. With our Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) volunteers we were able to train over 300 people throughout the day on CPR Anytime and the basics of AED use. We were also able to talk to more than 500 participants about why it is important to support AED and CPR training in schools reaching our youth. See photos from the event:

National Start! Walking Day Rally at Sunport

Mayor Martin Chavez and The American Heart Association are calling on Albuquerque residents to walk for 30 minutes. Residents can put on their sneakers and support the fight against heart disease by participating in National Start! Walking Day on Wednesday, April 8. This is the day that adults nationwide can make the pledge to Start! walking and to become active and heart healthy, especially in the workplace.

As part of his Fit City initiative to improve the health and enjoyment of life of Albuquerque residents, Mayor Martin Chavez will discuss the American Heart Association’s National Start! Walking Day, the Albuquerque Prescription Trails program, and the Sunport’s adoption of the Start! walking program at a press conference at the Albuquerque Sunport on April 7th at 10:30am. Sunport will be the 3rd airport in the nation to adapt START as their walking program not only for their employees, but also their passengers!

The National Start! Walking Day encourages people to start taking a more active role in their health. Walking has the lowest dropout rate of any physical activity. It’s the simplest positive change people can make to effectively improve their heart health.

The Albuquerque Prescription Trails program encourages people to get up and get moving and provides prescriptions for walking and wheelchair rolling and a walking guide that suggests routes in our community.

The Start! Walking program Is more than a program. It's a movement. Heart disease is this country's No.1 killer. But by exercising for as little as 30 minutes each day people can reduce their risk. The Start! Movement is about walking more, eating better and living a longer, healthier life. The program provides free online tools and trackers to monitor success. The Sunport has jumped on board to get their employees walking and taking a more active role in their health. The Sunport will also implement the program for passengers and will encourage them to “walk before they fly”.

Research has shown that the benefits of walking and moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day can help you:

Reduce the risk of coronary heart disease
Improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels
Improve blood lipid profile
Maintain body weight and lower the risk of obesity
Enhance mental well being
Reduce the risk of osteoporosis
Reduce the risk of breast and colon cancer
Reduce the risk of non insulin dependent (type 2) diabetes

The American Heart Association makes hosting a National Start! Walking Day event easy. Tips, tools, and promotional materials are provided for free. To download information about Start! or the National Start! Walking Day visit http://mystartonline.org.

Stroke? Dial 911

If you think you’re having a stroke, would you call 911? You should.

Help Improve Our State Trails

We need your help passing a law that will help create beautiful state trails throughout the state. Tell your Senator to vote Yes on HB 273 and help improve our state trails system.

This proposal will make it easier for state trails to be created and improved. New Mexico trails are some of the most scenic in the country and this bill will encourage more people to use them. We want more New Mexicans to be physically active and walking is a great Start!

Walking is one of the best forms of exercise you can get. It’s easy; almost anyone can do it and it’s fun whether alone or with a partner. The health benefits are also outstanding. Research has shown that 30 minutes of walking can:

-reduce risk of heart disease
-improve blood and sugar levels
-lowers risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes

HB 273 has already been passed by the New Mexico House and now needs to pass the Senate. Please thank your Representative and tell your Senator to vote YES!

Cig Tax Update: Mixed Results from Committee Hearing

The proposed cigarette tax increase is still alive in the legislature, but at a lower amount. Instead of a full dollar increase legislators are now suggesting only a 50 cent increase per pack of cigarettes. There is still time increase the amount back to a dollar, and we need your help to deliver our message. Click here to tell lawmakers to support a $1 cig tax increase!

We support a dollar increase for many proven reasons. If New Mexico passed the dollar increase here are the evidence based projections:

-There would be 10,000 fewer adult smokers
-There would be 15,500 fewer youth smokers
-The long term health savings would be over $368 million

Please help us pass the cig tax increase and restore it to a full dollar!

Brian Bowser
Grassroots Coordinator
Advocacy Dept.
American Heart Association, South Central Affiliate

Cig Tax in Committee Today

A proposal that will raise the cigarette tax by a dollar will be heard TODAY in a committee. We need to tell members of the committee to support the cigarette tax increase so it can move forward. Please click here to send your message now!

This issue should be heard around 1:30 PM; please send your message before Noon so it can be fully considered. This bill has already passed one stage of process and we want to keep the momentum going!

Tobacco taxes have proven to be one of the most effective ways of reducing smoking and preventing youths from starting. With tobacco use being a leading cause of preventable death in the state and a major risk factor for heart disease, passing the proposed bill will be a huge win in the fight against heart disease.

With your help, we will pass this tobacco tax increase and reduce smoking in New Mexico. Again, please take action before noon today and share your voice.

Sincerely,

Brian Bowser
Grassroots Coordinator

You're the Cure Recruitment

Yes, what great events. The New Mexico Stroke Forum and GWTG Stroke Conference were huge successes! We signed up over 100 new advocates in just two days. Let's keep the momentum. Way to go New Mexico Team~ Jen