Ed Smith spoke with Kristy Smorol, the Communications Director for the American Heart Association in Western and Central New York.
-Kristy talked about how this is the 100 Anniversary of the American Heart Association
-She talked about May being National Stroke Month and how the Heart Association is trying to educate people on the warning signs of having a stroke. The signs are very similar to that of a heart attack.
-Kristy says they are teaching people the acronym, FAST. Face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulties, and time to call 911.
-She talked about the importance of getting the person having a stroke help as soon as possible in order to reduce the damage and improve their outcome.
-Kristy says that increased risk factors for stroke are similar to those of a heart attack like high blood pressure, not enough exercise, bad diet, use of tobacco.
-She also talked about their ongoing community outreach efforts for CPR. In particular trying to teach more people how to perform CPR.
-They are planning on bringing out their mobile CPR training unit again to the Buffalo Bills training camp, local libraries and retail locations.
-She explained the easiest way to sign up for a CPR class is to go to their website and use the locator function.
-They continue their fundraising efforts with the Rochester Heart Ball and the Rochester Heart Walk and Run.
-Kristy encouraged people to sign up for the Heart Run and Walk or to form a team.