Each year, about 600,000 Americans - one in four -- in the United States die from heart disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Of the 715,000 Americans who have a heart attack each year, about 525,000 are first-timers, says the CDC, and those individuals may not know what's happening. Sadly, many people do not get to the hospital on time, says paramedic Dale Hemstalk.

"If someone is having a heart attack, for example, they should get to the hospital without delay upon the initial onset of symptoms," says Hemstalk, who is also a software developer with Forté Holdings, Inc., a provider of health-care software that works closely with paramedics, emergency medical technicians and firefighters to speed delivery of medical services. The company's newest software, iPCR, (www.ipcrems.com), takes electronic patient-care reporting in the field to new levels of portability and affordability.

"We live in an age in which we should be taking greater advantage of our technology for health purposes - but you have to call for help first!" Hemstalk says.
He shares warning signs that it's time dial 9-1-1.

• Symptoms for a heart attack: Men and women frequently report different symptoms. Men tend to have the "classic" signs, such as pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest that goes away and comes back; pain that spreads to the shoulders, neck or arms; chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath.
For women, symptoms tend to be back or jaw pain; difficulty breathing; nausea or dizziness; unexplainable anxiety or fatigue; mild flu-like symptoms; palpitations, cold sweats or dizziness. Triggers tend to be different between the sexes, too. In women, it's often stress; in men, it's physical exertion.

• Symptoms for a stroke: There are clear, telltale characteristics of a stroke, including sagging on one side of the face, an arm that's drifting down and garbled speech. But there are also more subtle signs from the onset, such as sudden numbness of one side of the body, including an arm, leg and part of the face; sudden confusion, trouble speaking and understanding; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden loss of balance; sudden headache for no apparent reason. Risk factors include diabetes, tobacco use, hypertension, heart disease, a previous stroke, irregular heartbeat, obesity, high cholesterol and heavy alcohol use.

• Symptoms for heart failure: This is not the same as a heart attack, which occurs when a vessel supplying the heart muscle with oxygen and nutrients becomes completely blocked. Heart failure is a chronic condition where the heart can't pump properly, which may be due to fluid in the lungs. Warning signs include shortness of breath, fatigue, swollen ankles, chest congestion and an overall limitation on activities. Just one of these symptoms may not be cause for alarm; but more than one certainly is. Risk factors include various heart problems, serious viral infections, drug or alcohol abuse, severe lung disease and chemotherapy.

"At no point should anyone be discouraged from calling 911; the bottom line is, if you feel it's an emergency and you need to call 911, call 911!" Hemstalk says. "There are many reasons to seek assistance from emergency responders, and they are not limited to those that I've mentioned."

About Dale Hemstalk

A United States Air Force Veteran and Career Firefighter Paramedic, Hemstalk has been providing emergency care for over 20 years. During his tenure in EMS, Hemstalk has been an educator, Paramedic Preceptor and Field Training Officer. Working for government agencies and private companies alike, Hemstalk relies on his experiences to help design product features that improve efficiency, speed and accuracy while keeping the field provider's needs his highest priority. Joining Forte Holdings' team was a natural progression combining his love of the Emergency Medical Services industry and new technology along with his commitment to providing the best possible documentation on each and every call for service. To stay current in the industry, Hemstalk remains active in EMS, is still a full time Firefighter/Paramedic and continues his passion for treating those in need.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 2013 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced funding for 424 projects across the nation that will help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce their energy consumption and costs, and use renewable energy technologies in their operations.

"Today's Rural Energy for America Program announcements will provide further assistance for agricultural producers and rural small business owners to save energy, promote renewable energy creation, and boost the bottom line for their operation," Vilsack said. "By investing in renewable energy created in rural America, USDA is able to provide new income opportunities in our small towns while supporting the Obama Administration's comprehensive effort to combat the impacts of a changing climate."

Vilsack noted that today's funding announcement is another reminder of the importance of Farm Bill programs for the economic vitality of rural America, and a compelling reason why Congress must get a comprehensive Food, Farm and Jobs Bill passed as soon as possible. A comprehensive new Food, Farm and Jobs Bill would further expand the rural economy, Vilsack added.

The Rural Energy for America Program offers financial assistance to farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses to purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy-efficiency improvements. These federal funds leverage other private funding sources for businesses.

Vilsack announced more than $14 million in grants and loan guarantees to business owners in 22 states, the Western Pacific, the Virgin Islands and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. For example, Grinnell Markets Inc., of Grinnell, Iowa, has been selected to receive a $39,000 grant to install more energy efficient lighting and refrigeration and to install a more efficient heating, ventilation and cooling system. L&S Pumping, Inc., in Strawberry Point, Iowa, was selected for an $11,675 grant to help purchase and install a geothermal heating and cooling system for a business equipment maintenance shop. DeChant-Notley Farms in Oberlin, Ohio, has been selected for a $29,775 grant to replace an inefficient grain dryer. The new model is expected to save 635,000 kilowatt hours of energy annually. That amounts to a 45 percent energy savings annually. In Derwood, Minn., Derwood Technologies Inc. is receiving a $14,800 grant to install a 9.95 kilowatt solar project on a building.

Under REAP, up to 25 percent of an eligible renewable energy system or energy efficiency improvement project can be funded through a grant, and additional support can be provided in the form of a loan guarantee. Since the start of the Obama Administration, REAP has helped fund more than 8,250 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects nationwide.

Harvey Allen of Elfrida, Ariz., used a $49,975 REAP grant he received in 2011 to help install photovoltaic water pumps. The REAP grant covered about a quarter of the cost of the new photovoltaic system with Allen covering the remaining costs. Allen said high utility costs were making it hard for him to keep his business profitable. The new pumps cut his well service utility bills in half. The meter for the new water pumps tracks how much electricity is being generated and how much is being used. Thanks to Arizona's abundant sunshine, the second time Allen irrigated with the new system, he discovered that he actually had a credit on his energy bill.

View the list of recipients announced today under the Rural Energy for America Program. Each award is contingent upon the recipient meeting the terms of the grant or loan agreement.

President Obama's plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President's leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way - strengthening America's economy, small towns and rural communities. USDA's investments in rural communities support the rural way of life that stands as the backbone of our American values.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users)

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad today extended the disaster declaration allowing for more propane transport during harvest. The extension is 7 days, through Nov. 14.

Today's proclamation language is below:

WHEREAS,   a proclamation of disaster emergency was issued on October 24, 2013, as a result of the propane shortage being felt throughout the State of Iowa; and

WHEREAS,   effects of the shortage continue and the circumstances and reasons for issuance of the proclamation remain and continue; and

WHEREAS, strict compliance with Iowa Code section 321.449 pertaining to hours of service for drivers of commercial motor vehicles subject to the conditions stated in the October 24, 2013 proclamation will continue to prevent, hinder, or delay timely transportation and delivery of propane throughout the State of Iowa.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, TERRY E. BRANSTAD, Governor of the State of Iowa, by the power and authority vested in me by the Iowa Constitution Art. IV, §§ 1, 8 and Iowa Code § 29C.6(1), and all other applicable laws, do hereby extend a State of Disaster Emergency for the entire state of Iowa originally proclaimed on October 24, 2013 for an additional seven days.  All terms and conditions of the proclamation of October 24, 2013 are hereby included by reference and shall apply as if fully set forth in this proclamation.

This extension of the original proclamation shall become effective at 12:01 a.m. on November 8, 2013, shall continue for seven (7) days, and shall expire on November 14, 2013 at 11:59 p.m., unless sooner terminated or extended in writing by me.

Signing Ceremony to Take Place November 20 at UIC Forum 

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Quinn today announced that he will sign historic legislation in the days ahead that will make Illinois the 15th state in the nation to embrace full marriage equality. The signing ceremony will take place at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Forum on November 20, 2013 at 3:30 p.m.

"Marriage equality is coming to Illinois," Governor Quinn said. "I look forward to signing this landmark legislation on November 20 and celebrating a big step forward with the people of Illinois."

The legislation, which was approved by the Illinois House this week in a historic vote, will permit all couples in Illinois to receive the rights and protections of marriage. As part of his agenda to ensure Illinois embraces all people, Governor Quinn made marriage equality a top legislative priority this year, featuring it in his 2013 State of the State address.

For the second year in a row, UIC was recently named among the nation's top 25 campuses for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students. UIC is the only institution in Illinois among the top 25 campuses. The UIC Forum is located at 725 West Roosevelt Road, Chicago‚ IL 60608.

UIC houses the historic Hull House, now a museum, which opened Chicago's doors to the world's immigrants and became the national center for innovative social and educational programs. In the fall of 2013, the university experienced record-breaking enrollment of 27,589. For the second year in a row in fiscal year 2013 more than 3,800 baccalaureate degrees were awarded, and more graduate and professional degrees were awarded than last year as well.

This momentous celebration will be free of charge and open to the public. For more information, including how to attend this historic event, please visit Equality.Illinois.gov.