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Alaska's Cardiovascular Health Coalition

Take Heart Alaska Coalition Membership Form

Welcome to the Take Heart Alaska Website…

Take Heart Alaska is a statewide coalition of agencies, organizations, and individuals working together to improve cardiovascular health in Alaska.

Mission: To increase heart health among all Alaskans by advocating for individual and community-based commitment to healthy lifestyles, and improving access to preventive services, evidence-based cardiovascular treatment, and secondary prevention.

Committees: The four committees of the Take Heart Alaska Coalition are Healthy Lifestyles, Public Education, Professional Education, and Treatment & Secondary Prevention.

Stroke — A Medical Emergency!

A stroke (sometimes called a "brain attack") happens when blood flow to the brain stops because it is blocked by a clot. The brain cells in the immediate area begin to die because they stop getting the oxygen and nutrients they need to function.

Rapid emergency medical care gives a victim the best possible chance of stroke survival and reversal of brain damage. Certain stroke treatments can be administered no later than (approximately) 3 hours from the time the stroke begins. That’s why it is critical to:

  1. Know the signs and symptoms of stroke so you can quickly identify a stroke in yourself or others.
  2. If you or someone around you shows one or more signs of stroke, immediately call 9-1-1 or the emergency number in your area.

Signs of Stroke

Here are the signs to look out for:

  • Sudden confusion or trouble speaking;
  • Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm, or leg; especially one side;
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes;
  • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance;
  • Severe headache with no known cause.

Act F.A.S.T!
 

F.A.S.T stands for face, arms, speech and time, and is being used as an easy way for everyone to recognize the signs of stroke:

  • Facial weakness — Can the person smile? Does his or her mouth or eye droop?
  • Arm weakness — Can the person raise both arms (or move both legs)?
  • Speech difficulty — Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?
  • Time to act fast — If you or someone you know has any one of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately!
Healthy Lifestyles Public Education Professional Education Treatment and Prevention