Jackson man advocates for heart disease funding

JACKSON - Survivors of heart disease and stroke from around the nation recently journeyed to Washington, D.C., to ask their federal representatives for help in dealing with those critical medical issues.

One of the people who sought help from U.S. leaders was Jackson resident Richard Zaback, a doctor of optometry who survived a life-threatening stroke nine years ago. The stroke left Zaback paralyzed on his left side, but today nothing can slow down his passion to improve cardiovascular health and so he has become an advocate for the American Heart Association (AHA).

"It's crucial that members of Congress realize so much more can be done to help prevent, treat and eventually cure heart disease and stroke," Zaback said.

In his quest for a cure, Zaback joined 500 survivors and volunteers on the steps of Capitol Hill recently to take part in the American Heart Association's annual Congressional Heart and Stroke Lobby Day.

Almost 27,500 New Jersey residents die from cardiovascular related diseases each year, a figure that represents 37 percent of all deaths in the state. Every day, an average of 75 New Jersey residents die from cardiovascular disease, Zaback said.

"We must take action now with heart healthy legislation if we hope to improve our nation's health and prevent skyrocketing health care costs down the road," Zaback said.

Nationwide, cardiovascular diseases and stroke claim 911,000 American lives annually.

The cost of cardiovascular diseases and stroke in the United States for 2006 is estimated at $403.1 billion for health expenditures and lost productivity resulting from morbidity and mortality.

Zaback and other AHA advocates have asked members of Congress to significantly increase federal funding for the National Institute of Health and for the Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

They also urged lawmakers to co-sponsor the HEART for Women Act (Heart Disease, Education, Analysis, Research and Treatment), which is described as bipartisan legislation that would improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease in women.

"By traveling to the nation's capital, volunteers and survivors like Richard Zaback are making it clear to their representatives that they are concerned about the impact of cardiovascular disease on our nation," said Dr. Perry Weinstock, immediate past-president of the Central-South Jersey Board of Directors for the American Heart Association. "Richard is living proof that heart and stroke survivors can help shape public policy."

The AHA estimates that about 15,000 New Jersey residents experience a stroke each year. Of that number more than 3,900 will die from stoke, the state's third leading cause of death.

"Our families, friends and neighbors are all at risk for these diseases," Zaback said. "Members of Congress have the opportunity to be part of the cure for heart disease and stroke and help prevent diseases in the first place. I hope that by sharing my experience with lawmakers, I can save lives."

Zaback said people should know the symptoms of a stroke - sudden dizziness, loss of balance and coordination, severe headache with no known cause, numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, or trouble seeing in one or both eyes. If any of these symptoms, or a combination of symptoms, occur, 911 should be called immediately, he said.