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Washington, D.C., May 23, 2013 — American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown released the following statement today on the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) report, Educating the Student Body: Taking Physical Activity and Physical Education to School, and the re-introduction of the FIT Kids Act in Congress:

Statement Highlights: Stroke costs are predicted to more than double in the next 20 years. Americans 45-64 years old are expected to have the highest increase in stroke incidence.

Study Highlights: Many people with implantable defibrillators may safely participate in a number of vigorous sports. The study challenges some current science recommendations advising against vigorous competitive sports for people with implantable defibrillators. People with implantable defibrillators should decide, with their physicians, about whether they can participate in vigorous competitive sports.

Study Highlights: An experimental, inexpensive iPhone app transmitted ECGs faster and more reliably than traditional emailed photo transmission. The app could help save lives by speeding diagnosis and treatment for the deadliest type of heart attack.

Study Highlights: Controlling heart disease risk factors — like high cholesterol, high blood pressure and smoking — varies widely among outpatient practices.

Study Highlights: Healthcare reform in Massachusetts didn’t result in substantially more hospitalizations, longer stays or higher costs.There were no significant differences in post-reform hospital use in Massachusetts versus to three other states with

Study Highlights: Depression among women 47-52 years old is associated with an almost doubled risk of stroke. Researchers call for greater awareness of depression as a preventable risk factor for stroke among younger middle-aged women.

Study Highlights: People with strokes caused by blood clots fared better in hospitals participating in the Get With the Guidelines®-Stroke program than in those not involved in the program. People treated in Get With The Guidelines-Stroke hospitals ...

Study Highlights: Heart attack or heart failure patients may have a high risk of death or re-admission for a month or longer after leaving the hospital. The standard practice of tracking deaths and readmissions for only 30 days after discharge misses ...

Study Highlights: Already being fit or getting into shape during middle age can reduce future heart failure risk. Low fitness is an independent, modifiable risk factor for heart failure.