The Bee Gees’ classic “Stayin’ Alive” – which is the near-perfect rate for doing chest compressions during CPR – remains the centerpiece of the association’s Hands-Only CPR awareness campaign. “Rules of Hands-Only CPR” imagines a casual dinner conversation between two couples as they discuss the reasons for learning Hands-Only CPR. Newly engaged sweethearts, Adam & Jennifer (Oliver Hudson, Bianca Kajlich) assist their enthusiastic friend Audrey (Megyn Price) in teaching her macho husband, Jeff (Patrick Warburton), the simple steps to save a life. Just as the scene is coming to a close, Timmy (Adhir Kalyan) bursts in in his finest white disco suit.

Now that you know the ‘Rules of Hands-Only CPR’, take a few minutes to help us spread awareness of Sudden Cardiac Awareness Month and share this video with friends and family!

For more information, visit heart.org/handsonlycpr.

Continued high blood pressure increases their risk of another stroke.

The study examined racial and ethnic differences in these strokes, called intracranial hemorrhage or ICH. They make up only 10 percent of all strokes but have a death rate of about 40 percent in the first month, much higher than other types of stroke. High blood pressure is the most important modifiable risk factor associated with ICH.

Taking medication, making changes to your diet and exercising can help you maintain healthy blood pressure.

Also, patients who were married and those who lived in a facility rather than a private residence had lower blood pressure, researchers said.

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Related Information:

• American Heart Association News Release
• To learn more about African-Americans and stroke visit powertoendstroke.org.

High blood pressure information is at heart.org/hbp.

New research in the American Heart Association’s journal Hypertension found improved mental function in elderly people who drank a lot of powdered cocoa drinks. An ingredient called flavonols might be behind the benefit, the researchers said. Flavonols – also found in tea, grapes, red wine and apples – have been associated with a decreased risk of dementia.

The researchers tested 90 elderly participants with mild cognitive impairment and found that participants drinking higher levels daily of flavanol-rich drinks had significantly higher overall cognitive scores than those participants drinking lower-levels..

Insulin resistance, blood pressure and oxidative stress also decreased in those drinking high and intermediate levels of flavanols daily.

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Related Information:

• American Heart Association news release
• The American Heart Association has more information about a heart healthy diet at our online Nutrition Center.

The research found that middle-aged adults who were more active in their leisure time had lower levels of internal indicators of inflammation of the arteries. People with less inflammation tend to have lower risk of heart disease.

Almost half of participants in the study met the American Heart Association’s recommendations for cardiovascular health – 2½ hours of moderate to vigorous physical activity a week. However, this rose to 83 percent later in the study as more participants reached retirement and had more leisure time.

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Related Information:

• American Heart Association News Release
• Learn more about the American Heart Association’s Life’s Simple 7™ and physical activity recommendations.

Researcher Information:

Mark Hamer, Ph.D., study lead author and associate professor of epidemiology and public health at University College in London.

Colon is walking approximately 20 miles per day in hopes to raise awareness of our nation’s No. 1 killer, heart disease, and funds for American Heart Association. He has set a goal to raise $50,000 from donations for research and education supported by the organization. Heart Trek USA will take Terrell through 11 states and 8 pairs of walking shoes as he makes his way to Santa Monica Pier in California by September 2012.

Join us today at 1 p.m. for a podcast with Colon and American Heart Association volunteer and fitness expert, Bobby Whisnand.

A few lucky participants can win great American Heart Association prizes!

If you love walking, check out Colon’s official Songza playing by going to http://bit.ly/HeartTrek. Songza will donate 10 cents for every new listener!

This is YOUR chance to hear Colon’s story, ask him your questions and get Bobby’s health and fitness advice. What questions do you have for them? Tell us below and we’ll ask them during the chat! 

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For more information about Heart Trek USA, make a donation or to follow Colon’s blog visit http://www.hearttrekusa.com or Like him on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/hearttrekusa.

You can follow Colon’s story by going to http://www.facebook.com/TriangleAHA or @MidAtlnticHeart.

For more information about Bobby Whisnand, please go to http://www.victoryoflife.com.

Yes, 590.

Try this one on for size: Twenty minutes of jogging burns off about one chocolate chip cookie.

We have a problem. Although for most, it’s no surprise.

I watched part one and part two of HBO‘s new documentary, Weight of the Nation last night.  It’s a chilling tale of the obesity epidemic in America.

As we already know, obesity, followed by a number of other ailments including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and some cancers, affects the physical and mental health, brain development, productivity and life span of our nation.

The stats were pounded home, the food industry was grilled, myths were busted and a heart and an aorta were dissected before they begged the question: What Can I Do?

Followed by an array of honest stories, struggles and triumphs during the segment, Yolanda did something. Weighing in at 430 pounds, she realized it was time to make a change – not a drastic one, but hundreds of little ones – each one at a time. For instance, she started looking at calories in her drinks and realized she was drinking 2,000 calories a day just in drinks!

The lesson learned: Big goals aren’t achievable. Small goals are. Losing just 10 percent of your weight can have enormous physical benefits.

It’s an every day kind of commitment.

Small steps play a key role when we talk about Life’s Simple 7 the seven simple steps to get you on the path to ideal health.

1. Get Active
2. Control Cholesterol
3. Eat Better
4. Manage Blood Pressure
5. Lose Weight
6. Reduce Blood Sugar
7. Stop Smoking

So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to get the weight off our nation.

To get started, consider this:

1. Start with small steps
2. Make realistic goals
3. Seek support
4. Keep portions under control
5. Track your caloric intake

Featured in the second segment, “Choices,” Rhonda and Elana have each lost more than 100 pounds and have maintained their weight loss for more than a year.

Their answer to the question: What Can I Do?

“I’m just an ordinary person, who does a bunch of tiny, ordinary things, that together are extraordinary.”

Now that’s inspiration. What tiny goal will you make this week?

You can watch “Consequences” here.

Watch “Choices” here.

And don’t forget to tune in for parts three and four – “Children in Crisis” and “Challenges” – tonight at 8 p.m. CST on HBO. Don’t have HBO? No sweat! It’s free at http://theweightofthenation.hbo.com.

Did you know that a stroke occurs every 40 seconds? It’s the No. 4 cause of death and No. 1 cause of disability for Americans. But, like heart disease, it’s largely preventable.

Since May is American Stroke Month, we’re asking you to make sure your family and friends know the warning signs of a stroke. It could save their life. Share this post because time lost is brain lost.