Why wouldn't you... go to the Living for Zachary Educational Forum?

If you knew that you could find out if your child has a underlying heart condition - wouldn't you have your child's heart screened? If Karen Schrah had been given the information that is out today about Heart Screenings and SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest) - she would have had Zac's heart screened without a question. 

Zachary Schrah had no symptoms, no warning signs and was the picture of health. Playing sports all his life - he had no known heart issues and no family history of heart disease and on a normal April day in 2009 - 16-year-old Zachary Schrah collapsed and died of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) on a day just like today.

On February 17th - you can find out if your child has a heart condition that could potentially take his or her life. Why not know? Why not take all the precautions that you can? 

It's free - DO IT. Register today! It's painless and easy to do. If your child is between the age of 12-22 register your child today for a free heart screening on February 17, 2012. Please know the facts and watch the video below

TO Register today - click here

 Living for Zachary

HeartBeats Educational Forum

Your Health, It's a Personal Number!

Friday, Feb. 17, 2012

4:00 to 8:00pm

Omni Dallas Convention Center Hotel

555 S. Lamar Street, Downtown Dallas

The forum will offer~

• FREE Living for Zachary heart screenings (youth ages 12-22)
• FREE health tests (more than 10 tests to help you determine if your personal number is ideal)
• FREE iPod raffle for those who complete our “Health Test Road Map”
• FREE medical advice from our board of nationally-recognized physicians
• Forum booths hosted by the top medical manufacturers and wellness companies in the world

Who will be there if SCA strikes you or someone you love..?

Representative Lois Capps read and shared a very well written letter on Wednesday from a 12-year-old Sudden Cardiac Arrest survivor who fell to the ground on her way to PE class last month. Kylee Shea of Frisco, TX insists that a AED an automated external defibrillator saved her life.

"This can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time," Kylee Shea of Frisco, Texas, says in her letter to Representative Lois Capps.

On September 26, 2011 Kylee Shea collapsed in her Frisco school hallway and was revived by two teachers . Kristen Goodgion and Brent Reese. These two wonderful teachers immediately rushed to help Kylee - one performed CPR and the other teacher used the AED on her reviving her heart and bringing her back to life.

Had it not been for these two very well instructed teachers in Kylee's school and the use of a AED and knowing how to use it, Kylee might not be here today to talk about it.

Representative Capps spoke at a Sudden Cardiac Arrest event to continue efforts to put AED's in school and community areas to increase the survival rates if Sudden Cardiac Arrest strikes you or someone you know.

Want to know how you can help? Schedule a “Living for Zachary” screening for your child at THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano. This heart screening is non-invasive and pain free.

• Make sure your school or workplace has an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) and people are trained on how to use it.
• Make sure the locations of the AEDs are clearly marked with signs.
• Get certified in CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation).
• Donate to the Living for Zachary organization.

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It's the beginning of sports - stay hydrated and be aware!

School has started back and our young athletes are playing football, started band, and drill team is outside too. It's so important for parents, friends, coaches and teachers to be aware of an AED or SCA program at their local schools or recreation centers. As parent's - we need to ask where the AED is located, who can administer it and how fast can help arrive in case they need to.

SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest) is five times more common in teen athletes with only 1 in 10 surviving. In hot weather it is crucial to be aware of dehydration and heat exhaustion. Dehydration can be risky for anyone out in extreme heat who is also exercising. It will interfere with the heart's main pumping area, the left ventricle. Not having enough fluids can make blood flow problems worse which may lead to fainting or shortness of breath.

There are some things that we can do to prevent any of these fatal SCA episodes from happening. Encouraging heart screenings in your children and teens is proven to prevent 90% of SCA. Being aware of the signals is also important. Be on the look out for fainting or seizures after physical activity, any episodes of chest pain, racing heartbeats or unusual shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness during or after exercise, or a family history of heart disease. Sometimes there is no family history at all.

Stay on top of your kids - ask how they are feeling. Push the coaches, teachers and parents present to always be fully aware of keeping the kids hydrated and well rested before pushing them too far.

Living for Zachary wishes all the young athletes good luck this season - whatever your sport is!

The Chain of Survival when SCA strikes!

Has your life been affected by Sudden Cardiac Arrest? Have you known someone who has died from Sudden Cardiac Arrest? If so, you are not alone and if not, chances are you will be affected by SCA at some point.

Of course we all know that Sudden Cardiac Arrest has to do with the heart and most of us know that we should know CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation), but do you really know what the "odds" are if you are struck with SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest)?

Many researchers have said that the earlier a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)person is tended to and helped the better the chance of survival.  Many call this the "Chain of Survival". Professionals say that first need to recognize what is going on and act on it. Seek medical attention by calling 911 or have a bystander call. Inquire where the AED (Automated External Defibrillators) is and ask someone to retrieve it. Stay with the person until EMS arrives.

If you don't know CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation), learn it. It's not a difficult thing to learn and could save a life.If you are unsure where to take a class or find out information about CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation), check out the American Heart Association website.

If you want to help in other ways, get involved in an organization that supports awareness of Sudden Cardiac Arrest. You can join the Living for Zachary family by attending the Living for Zachary Golf Tournament on June 20, 2011. Living for Zachary welcomes donations, sponsors and volunteers. Let's all save a heart, together we can!

One is lost and One is saved..

241,622..... that is a large number, a number that is bigger than some can imagine - that number is how many people have lost their lives to Sudden Cardiac Arrest - that is one loved one every two minutes - that will no longer be around. Sound sad, it is and especially when there is something that we can do about it and possibly save lives. Have your Heart Screened and help spread awareness of Sudden Cardiac Arrest Screening.

Sixteen-year-old Kyle Biendara - Apollo High School in St. Paul, Minneapolis, normal day - normal kid. Kyle started not feeling well on his way home from school and within the hour had died. His last class of the day was PE/Physical Education. Another family mourns.

Quick thinking by a High School Basketball Coach gave Senior forward; Xavier Jones, 17, a reason to be thankful last week. Xavier collapsed during practice last week for a basketball championship in San Gabriel. One of the Coaches had just gone over CPR the night before and stepped in when Xavier collapsed. He was breathing again by the time that medical help arrived. Coincidence? Not a chance.

Have your heart screened and pay attention to the signs of SCA and know the risks:

• Previous Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) episode(s): A previous attack often predicts another occurrence.
• Heart failure (heart pumps poorly).
• Abnormal heart rhythms: If your ejection fraction is 40 percent or less, further testing is warranted to verify the risk associated with the rhythm disorder. If your heart arrhythmia comes and goes, there are special monitors you can wear or carry to record your heart's electrical activity.Previous history of heart disease or heart rhythm disorders.
• Family history of SCA .
• Unexplained fainting episodes.

If you would like to help spread the word of SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest) please visit: Living4Zachary.org. Another 16 year old that tragically lost his life to SCA was Zachary Schrah however the world is becoming a better and safer place because of Living for Zachary and because of Zachary's memory.

AED's and Heart Screenings - can save lives!

Finally it is being noticed that AED’s (automated external defibrillators) in schools and out in public areas where people gather is imperative in saving lives. This has been a battle many people and organizations have been involved in for many years. It is a worthwhile fight to save lives.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is a medical emergency that can and could be treated if the right action is taken, either restoring the heart’s normal rhythm with the AED or just getting the heart beating until emergency help can arrive. An electrical shock from a defibrillator can restore the heart's normal rhythm and reverse cardiac arrest in many cases.

In recent years, AED’s have been placed in a growing number of public areas such as schools, office buildings, shopping malls and sporting arena’s however we need more. The obstacles with providing AED’s is cost. AED’s can typically run between $1,500 to $2,000.

Performing CPR until the AED is used also remains so very important! It is estimated that each minute that the defibrillator is not used, the victim’s chance of survival drops 10 percent in Cardiac Arrest victims. Using CPR keeps the blood circulating and improves the odds thus saving lives.

Also, it is highly encouraged to have you and your family's heart screened by a simple electrocardiogram, or ECG. Athletes and teens are among the growing number of SCA victims!

For more information on cardiac screening in the Texas area, please visit the HEART HOSPITAL at Baylor Plano and also visit the Living for Zachary Foundation and learn about a Mother’s fight for SCA screening.