In a heartbeat, you could be the difference.
Heart Disease is still the leading cause of death in our country. It impacts those in many different forms such as structural defects, arrythmias, cornary artery disease, etc.; risk factors can be congenital or lifestyle. 9/10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital don’t survive. Most of the time, it’s because no one nearby performed CPR or has a lack of awareness of warning signs and risk factors. Additionally it should be mentioned that Heart Disease symptoms can present differently in women than in men. On the otherhand, Stroke is the No. 4 cause of death and leading cause of disability in our country. Risk factors for Stroke are similar to Heart Disease such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking and obesity. While there is greater insight into Stroke care from the past few decades, like Heart Disease not everyone is aware of the warning signs and risk factors.
Heart Disease & Stroke are personal to me. I lost my paternal grandmother back in the pandemic years to Congestive Heart Failure and I have a mild chronic arrythmia know as Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia (IST). I am thankful in my case that I can manage my IST with medication and have access to a fantastic Cardiologist who has insight into the latest treatments and interventions through the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai. I am privileaged to be a volunteer in the Neurosciences Intensive Care Unit at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center where I help patients and families suffering from Stroke and other serious neurological conditions by making things during their stay a little bit brighter. I also support the amazing individuals and leaders who make up the careteam in the Neuro-ICU as well. It is with that I am asking for your urgent help.
Extraordinary things happen when people take action. A small step. A simple skill. A lifesaving moment. I will be walking in the Los Angeles AHA Heart & Stroke Walk at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena with my team of friends and colleagues from the Neuro-ICU as well as other teams from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. AHA's Heart & Stroke Walk brings communities together to create health and hope for every heartbeat and new memory. Every walker who joins, every dollar donated, means more people trained in CPR, Stoke awareness, more research/clinical trials, and more lifesaving moments for everyone.
Extraordinary starts with YOU. Help me reach my goal today!