Keith Ahrens

“5 years ago, August 23, 2007, is the day I had my open-heart surgery. I remember as if it were yesterday. More healthy, healing, positive energy from family and friends was sent my way that day than anyone ever deserved. I would imagine all survivors can relate to how I feel. I’m more alive today than I’ve ever been. So many blessings and good fortune have come my way.  Everyday, I make it my goal to give back to others. Each day presents new challenges and obstacles but I do my best. Never take life or good health for granted. Everyday is the greatest day of my life.” I love you TT.” – Keith

This bill failed in committee for several reasons.  I was able to testify in favor of the bill, but we were faced with some unexpected issues.  We’ll try again next year.

CPR in Schools: SB 98 would incorporate CPR training into high school curriculum. CPR and AEDs are tools that can save a life when sudden cardiac arrest occurs. We want everyone to be trained in CPR so they can be a lifesaver in case of an emergency. SB 98 would help train and entire generation of heroes by teaching CPR to all students in high school.

This Just In…. Team “Outrunning My Shadow” earns “Top Community Team” Award for 2nd year.

 Las Vegas Heart Walk 2011.

Great thanks to all that donated, walked, supported or had us in your thoughts.  

We walked for everyone:)  Heart Healthy Days Ahead for us all:) Keith

Less than 2 weeks left. October 15th is the big day in Las Vegas. Join me in fighting the #1 Killer of Americans. Your support and generous donation for ANY amount helps to fight this disease through research, education and awareness campaigns in your neighborhoods and States.

We are doing some great things this year.

Join my team, “Outrunning My Shadow” or donate to my page. If you’re unable to attend, I’ll walk for you and/or your loved one this year.

Thank you for all your help and continued support, Keith

I was selected to by the American Heart Association to attend the You’re the Cure on the Hill Lobby Days in Washington D.C. next week.

The event will include more than 350 Advocates, Medical Researchers, Doctors, and Survivors.

I was asked to represent the AHA and attend as a Survivor, National Advocate, and Heart Hero.

We’ll be on Capitol Hill to share our stories with our Senators and Congressmen and ask our legislators’ to support the important legislation that would help prevent heart disease and stroke.

We’re asking for support and passage of the FIT Kids Act and Safe Routes to School legislation, which would help prevent childhood obesity by promoting quality physical education and safe walking and bicycling paths to schools– and asking for vital funding for medical research that can lead to improvements in the prevention and treatment of heart disease and stroke.

I’ve included some items we’ll be “Asking” for lobbying for with bullet points below from the AHA for our Lobby Day and the Facts to back them up.

ASK: Please appropriate $35 billion for the NIH in 2012 to support research that (1) improves health, (2) spurs economic growth and innovation, (3) creates jobs, and (4) advances science to help find better ways to prevent and event cure heart disease and stroke.

Fact: NIH invests a mere 4{1ee8873d3da54571ef77633feec9b2f18618b0dba2f28faf42edb28003d1c6f7} of its budget on heart research and 1{1ee8873d3da54571ef77633feec9b2f18618b0dba2f28faf42edb28003d1c6f7} on stroke research even though heart disease, stroke and other forms of cardiovascular disease remain the No. 1 and most costly killer of Americans. These funding levels are not commensurate with scientific opportunities, the numbers afflicted, and the economic toll this disease exact on our Nation.

Fact: A large portion of NIH research is focused on reducing heart disease and stroke risk factors, including high blood pressure and cholesterol, tobacco use, and physical activity.

Fact: NIH funds research in every state and in 90{1ee8873d3da54571ef77633feec9b2f18618b0dba2f28faf42edb28003d1c6f7} of congressional districts. The typical NIH grant supports about 7 mainly high-tech full-time or part-time jobs. In one year, every dollar that NIH distributes in a grant returns more than $2 in goods and services to the local community.

REMEMBER: Research remains our best hope to prevent and even cure heart disease and stroke.

ASK: Please co-sponsor the FIT Kids Act.

Fact: Childhood obesity in the United States is an epidemic. About 1 out of every 6 children and adolescents ages two to 19 are considered obese. As these obese children grow into adulthood, they have a much greater risk of developing and dying from heart disease. Their poor health also pushes up medical costs and lowers our military preparedness.

Fact: Only 3.8{1ee8873d3da54571ef77633feec9b2f18618b0dba2f28faf42edb28003d1c6f7} of elementary, 7.9{1ee8873d3da54571ef77633feec9b2f18618b0dba2f28faf42edb28003d1c6f7} of middle, and 2.1{1ee8873d3da54571ef77633feec9b2f18618b0dba2f28faf42edb28003d1c6f7} of high schools provide daily physical education or its equivalent for the entire school year. Twenty-two percent of schools do not require students to take any physical education at all.

Fact: National guidelines recommend that children engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity most days of the week – and 30 minutes should be during the school day.

REMEMBER: Schools need to be a part of the solution to the childhood obesity epidemic and this includes telling parents what is provided in the way of physical education during the school day.

ASK: Please support the Safe Routes to Schools program at current funding levels ($183 million/year) in the next Transportation bill.

Fact: Just 13{1ee8873d3da54571ef77633feec9b2f18618b0dba2f28faf42edb28003d1c6f7} of children walk or bike to school today, down from nearly 50{1ee8873d3da54571ef77633feec9b2f18618b0dba2f28faf42edb28003d1c6f7} in 1969. A California study showed that schools that received infrastructure improvements through the Safe Routes to School program increased walking and bicycling by20 to 200{1ee8873d3da54571ef77633feec9b2f18618b0dba2f28faf42edb28003d1c6f7}.

Fact: Walking one mile to and from school each day is two-thirds of the recommended sixty minutes of physical activity a day. Children who walk to school have higher levels of physical activity throughout the day.

REMEMBER: More than 10,000 schools and communities across all 50 states have benefited from Safe Routes to Schools, which has helped build sidewalks, pathways, and safe street crossings. The program creates opportunities for daily physical activity and improved health for kids and for other members of the community.

Please Visit My Heart Walk Page

Las Vegas Health Magazine.  An Article by Sharon Chayra, October 8, 2010.
Sharon interviewed me for this article on heart disease and obesity.  She’s a terrific writer and health advocate. Enjoy.

Click the link to read the full article:
Heart Disease, Obesity & Sleep | Las Vegas Health Magazine

On a radio interview from southern Texas, we were discussing Heart Healthy Lifestyle Changes and the host said to me, “You don’t eat fried chicken anymore?”  I told him “not any more”.  He said, “I could never give up my fried chicken.  That would be way too extreme.”  “Extreme”, I said.  “To me, extreme is an eleven-inch scar on my chest.”  To that he responded, “Well, I guess I can cut way back on my fried chicken.”  – Keith

Please watch the video and learn about someone making a difference.  Get your checkup and screening.  The life you save may be your own.  Thanks Holly for your tireless efforts to save lives and prevent Sudden Cardiac Arrest.

KTLA Heroes at Home: Athlete Dedicates Life to Fighting Sudden Cardiac Arrest — ktla.com

SkinnyScoopers.com added me to their website.  Thanks so much for the exposure Skinny Scoopers:)

Skinny Scoopers Success Story Keith Ahrens