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Washington Savings Bank has announced the recipients of its annual Give a Heart fundraiser to increase Heart Health Awareness.
All five area locations participate in selling paper hearts for $1 each. The campaign concluded with 435 paper hearts sold and Washington Savings Bank rounding up the amount raised this year to $900.
The money raised will help those who struggle to pay for costs associated with any of their heart treatments.
The funds raised from the two Effingham locations will go to the Prairie Heart Institute at HSHS St. Anthonyâs Memorial Hospital.Â
The amounts raised at the two Mattoon locations and one location in Lerna will go to the Sarah Bush Heart Center.
A miracle baby has beaten all the odds to celebrate his first birthday after he was born 16 weeks early – weighing the same as a loaf of bread. Arley-James Hughes was so small he had to be kept in a âsandwich bagâ which mimicked mum Naomi Walker’s womb. The tiny tot – who weighed just 1lb (500g) at birth – spent 153 days in hospital as he battled a rare heart condition. And doctors were so worried about him that they told Naomi, 35, and her partner Chris Hughes, 34, to make funeral plans. But after doctors gave him a lifesaving trial drug, his health finally improved and he was allowed home after more than five months in July. The smiley youngster is still on oxygen but is growing stronger by the day. And he celebrated his first birthday surrounded by his loving family in Morecambe, Lancs., on Tuesday (Feb 20). Relieved Naomi said: âArley has survived everything thatâs been thrown at him, heâs a miracle. âI count my blessing every day. I know heâs got a long way to go. He still needs support with breathing at the minute, but Iâm just amazed at his incredible strength. âFor someone who weighed 500g to put up the fight he has and to be so happy and smiley throughout it all, there are no words to describe how proud and amazed I am.” Naomi’s pregnancy had been fairly straightforward until she was admitted to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary last February with a urine condition and a chest infection. And while in the hospital, she suddenly realised that Arley-James had decided to make a very early entrance into the world months earlier than anticipated. Naomi said: âI was in hospital at the time. It was actually when I was on the toilet I felt a pressure dropdown. “It was very scary. I knew instantly, right at that moment, Jesus heâs coming.â Naomi remembered clutching Arley-James for a few brief minutes when he arrived on February 20 last year. She added: âI gave Arley a little cuddle and he made a purring sound that Iâll never forget but then he went straight into intensive care where he spent five-and-a-half months.â Naomi said Arley-James was given blood transfusions soon after his birth and was put on a ventilator while on an intensive care ward. But just when he seemed to have turned a corner, he was diagnosed with the rare heart condition fungal endocarditis after four weeks. Doctors told Naomi to prepare for the worst after informing her he had the life-threatening condition, which has a mortality rate of up to 75 percent. But remarkably, after she agreed to let Arley-James have a trial drug, his health improved over the next few weeks. And Naomi, who never left him during his time in the hospital, believes the sound of her voice and touch may have kept him going through his most difficult of days. She said: âThey came in and said there was nothing more that we can do for him. Basically, make funeral arrangements. âIt just floored me. I just ran out of the neonatal unit. It was possibly the worst news of my life. âAnd then another consultant came in and said, âWe have got this drug. Itâs still pretty much in the trial process, do you want to try it?â âI said, âWhat have I got to lose?’ Youâre telling me I need to make funeral arrangements or we can try a drug that possibly might save his life. “Give it to him now, get it in him.â She added: âI didnât leave his side for his whole journey, and the nurses said Iâd given him support âHe was in containment hall, and you put your hand on his head and another one on his chest and it really helps him.â Naomi said she was amazed to finally bring Arley-James home on July 23 last year and said the bouncing lad had spent his birthday on Tuesday eating cupcakes. She said: âHe filled himself up with cupcakes. We took him home, had a nice tea, and we went out for a meal yesterday and sang happy birthday to him. âHeâs just the most loving happy baby anyone could meet. “All the nurses absolutely adore him because heâs just so smiley â even when heâs been really poorly, heâs been full of smiles. âHeâs used to having things wrong that it doesnât affect him like it would a normal baby. He doesnât let you see it.â
8 of the greatest risk factors for heart disease
8 of the greatest risk factors for heart disease
In the U.S., heart disease kills someone every 36 seconds and is the cause of 25% of all deaths. About 659,000 Americans die from heart disease annually, making it the leading cause of death across most racial groups, regardless of gender.
The most common type of heart disease among Americans is coronary artery disease, which decreases blood flow to the heart. The condition can cause heart attacks and even lead to heart failure.
There are a lot of lifestyle factors that can increase your chances of developing heart disease like excessive body weight, smoking, and drinking too much. Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce your risk of heart disease as well, such as staying active, following a low-fat diet, and maintaining a healthy weight. In fact, according to the American Heart Association and the Cleveland Clinic, 80% to 90% of heart disease may be preventable.
ACLS Medical Training researched how eight major risk factors can lead to heart disease, citing the CDC.
High blood pressure
High blood pressure not only increases your risk for heart disease, but it can also lead to strokes. Unfortunately, high blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common issue in Americans, affecting half the adults in the country.
Many struggle to control their hypertension and itâs estimated that only 1 in 4 adults with high blood pressure are managing their condition through lifestyle changes and medication. To better control your risk for heart disease, check your blood pressure regularly. This simple measurement can be done by a physician or with an at-home blood pressure monitor. You can take steps to control your high blood pressure by exercising consistently and eating a diet low in fat. If youâre seeing a physician for your high blood pressure, be sure to follow their instructions and donât stop taking any medication they prescribe without consulting them first.
High blood cholesterol
According to the CDC, roughly 38% of Americans live with high cholesterol. Cholesterol can come from two sources: blood cholesterol (which is produced by your liver) and dietary cholesterol (which comes from consuming meat, seafood, or dairy products). High cholesterol can stem from a number of risk factors including family history, smoking, physical inactivity, being overweight, Type 2 diabetes, and a diet that contains a lot of trans and saturated fats. To avoid high blood cholesterol, you can limit alcohol intake, stop smoking, eat a balanced diet, and stay physically active. If youâre living with high cholesterol, consult with your physician for medication options, monitor your cholesterol, and stick to a healthy diet and exercise.
Smoking
Itâs no secret that smoking is bad for your healthâyet, as of 2019, 34.1 million Americans regularly smoked cigarettes. Like high blood cholesterol and blood pressure, smoking tobacco can put you at high risk for heart disease. It can also lead to an addiction to tobacco, so quitting can be challenging. Counseling and medication can help you break your addiction and manage withdrawal symptoms. You can use nicotine patches, gum, and lozenges as well as prescription nasal sprays and inhalers.
Diabetes
Diabetes occurs when your body can’t move sugar from your bloodstream into cells. Itâs a chronic issue and is a serious health condition that impacts millions of people annually.
There are several types of diabetes including Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and prediabetes. Typically, those who are overweight, over the age of 45, and have a family history of diabetes are at the greatest risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately, diabetes does not have a cure, but treatments are available. Exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and managing your weight can help to maintain healthy blood glucose levels. Regularly checking in with your physician is also an important aspect of living with diabetes.
Obesity
Excessive weight gain can lead to a host of chronic health issues, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. However, being overweight is a complex problem that can stem from a number of issues ranging from genetics and health issues to diet and exercise.
Maintaining a healthy weight can start with consulting with your physician and a nutritionist. Both can help you develop strategies to create and stick with a nutritious eating plan. Being physically active can also help with managing your weight. The CDC recommends that most adults get 150 minutes of exercise per week, and this activity should include aerobics (like walking or swimming) and strengthening your muscles.
Physical inactivity
Physical inactivity is a widespread issue across the U.S., but particularly in Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and West Virginia. When surveyed, more than 30% of adults from these states said they did not participate in any physical activities outside their job in the last month. An active lifestyle can not only help you avoid issues like heart disease and Type 2 diabetes, but it can help you live longer and improve your mental health.
To learn more about becoming more physically active, talk to your physician. You can also take steps like joining a gym and working with a fitness instructor. Or you can add more activity into your daily routine, like taking walks on your lunch break, using the stairs instead of the elevator, or biking to work instead of driving (if possible).
Excessive drinking
While some believe that a glass of red wine a day is good for your heart, consuming too much alcohol can lead to a host of negative health effects. Heavy drinking is hard on your body; not only can it result in heart disease, but it can weaken your immune system and increase the risk of cancer, stroke, high blood pressure, alcohol poisoning, and more.
Drinking excessively is also known as binge drinking, which the CDC defines as four or more drinks for women and over five for men. Drinking too much alcohol can also lead to addiction or even risky behaviors such as driving while intoxicated. To avoid long- and short-term health risks, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans advises adult women to have no more than one drink a day and for men to only have two drinks or less.
Unhealthy diet
Knowing what foods to eat and how much of it to eat can be confusing, but the CDC recommends that the more naturally colorful your plate, the better.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults limit their daily caloric intake and eat a variety of proteins, vegetables, and whole grains. Itâs also important to incorporate lots of fiber, minerals, and vitamins into your diet, which you can find in dark green vegetables, nuts, and fruit. Youâll want to limit sugars, salt, and alcoholic beverages. However, itâs important to keep in mind that itâs beneficial to maintain balance and enjoy comfort foods in moderation.
This story originally appeared on ACLS Medical Training and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
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