HCM Screenings every weekend in June!

Sign up today to have your child's heart screened!

This screening opportunity is open to anyone 

(not exclusive to Marcus High School football team).

What is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)?
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a disease in which the heart muscle (myocardium) becomes abnormally thick —or hypertrophied.
This thickened heart muscle can make it harder for the heart to pump blood. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy often goes undiagnosed, because many of those with HCM have few, if any, symptoms.
In a small number of people with this condition, the thickened heart muscle can cause problems in the heart's electrical system resulting in life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms, or arrhythmias.

Click here to schedule your time!

Simple Summer Steps to help Prevent SCA

Did you know that simple steps of action can help lower your risk of major cardiovascular problems?

With the rising risks of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), heart attacks and strokes in youth and adults alike, it’s become a real cause for concern in taking preventative steps and protecting you and your family. Have some plans in place.

Make some plans
By putting together a plan and course of action will help you stay accountable to your goals. Start by jotting down some ways to lower your risk, such as “Cut excess fat from my diet” or “1 hamburger a week” and slowly check these off your list. Trying to do too much too fast can make preventative steps seem discouraging.

Just Get Healthier - plain and simple
Plan to walk at lunch in your parking garage, or take the stairs instead of the elevator. If you are still smoking, talk to your Doctor about getting some help to quit. Also, cut down on salt - just cut down - or try using Sea Salt instead.



Celebrate Success
It’s also important to keep track of progress you’ve made on all of your goals. Enjoy the progress you’ve made and celebrate successes by saving up and purchasing that new pair of running shoes that you’ve wanted or indulge in a dessert at your favorite restaurant.

Don’t be discouraged. Small healthy changes can help you enjoy a long and bountiful life. Go ahead and make some changes this summer of 2013 - who knows, you might even lose a few pounds.

Be prepared this summer just in case...

The upcoming summer is an exciting time! Pools, beaches and lakes all call our names, so
students and adults alike are taking CPR classes for lifeguarding certification and for other
preventative reasons to prepare to enjoy the summer safely.

While these CPR classes are being offered, it is also a good time to learn how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED). Cardiovascular illnesses and other heart-related disasters are striking more and more individuals, some even taking innocent lives. SCA does not pick and choose the victims.

When emergency strikes, individuals who are prepared to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) can be an essential element for survival of the afflicted person. Often times, emergency services can take 15 minutes to arrive on scene and an appropriate use on an AED can help increase the likelihood of survival by 70%!

AEDs are simple to use and most speak instructions to you as they are being used so to slowly
guide you through the process of applying and using an AED.

While others are learning safety skills, take the same time to learn something that can be useful
at a local swimming hole or in a crowded shopping mart. A life may be saved because of it.

Living for Zachary donates AED's each year to organizations that work directly with youth, demonstrate a financial need for an AED and are located in Texas.

To find out more information about how to apply for a AED through the Living for Zachary AED program  - click here. Visit Living for Zachary for more information on AED's and SCA.

Can you save your Loved One's Life?

When cardiovascular emergencies strike, whether it is a coworker collapsing on the office floor or a family member at the dinner table, it can be a horrifying thing. So scary, in fact, that “70% of Americans say they feel helpless to react during cardiovascular emergencies” according to CPR statistics from Heart.org.

To break it down, the life you save with the CPR skill-set could be the life of a family member or friend. It is likely that CPR will save the life of someone you love.

CPR has a misunderstood need. Often times, people assume that CPR is only applicable around summer swimming pools and only to be administered by lifeguards and other professionals.

While it is true that CPR is a necessity for all lifeguards (for most it is a requirement), learning CPR is applicable far beyond the pool.

Four out of five cardiac emergencies happen at home. The scenes are often very similar: a family is gathered together over a meal when a family member collapses onto the floor or friends are exercising together when one gets dizzy and appears to have fainted.

What many don’t know is that both situations are alarming and underestimated. The lack of administered CPR can lead to an over 70% increase in the rate of fatalities among those who have fallen victim to heart complications.

What does this mean? If you don’t know CPR, it is likely that emergency services will not be able to respond quickly enough to save the life of one of your loved ones. Stay active and be prepared in all circumstances – learn CPR. 

Living for Zachary will be hosting a Free Heartsaver CPR AED Certification Class on June 1 9a-11:30am. This great Living for Zachary CPR event will be held at the YMCA at 3300 McDermott Rd Plano, TX 75025.  In celebration of CPR/AED Awareness Week { June 1-7 } Living for Zachary will be hosting a free Heartsaver CPR AED Certification Class lead by Save A Life.