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Heart Health 101: Why you need to know about Sudden Cardiac Arrest
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October is Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month and since heart disease has probably touched your family in one way or another, this is an important article to read.
Why do you need to know about Sudden Cardiac Arrest? Because it almost always occurs without warning. It can strike anywhere and at anytime. It does not discriminate against age, race, or gender. It is quick. And 92% of the time, it is fatal.
Did you know that every year Cardiac Arrest claims more lives than lung cancer, breast cancer, or AIDS? But there is good news that all of us need to know. Laypersons, meaning non-medically trained Americans, like you, have the power to save approximately 100,000 lives each year by making a simple choice…to do something.
Cardiac Arrest happens when an electrical problem in the heart interrupts its normal rhythm causing the heart to stop pumping blood to the body. This is different than a myocardial infarction, commonly referred to as a Heart Attack. A Heart Attack occurs when a blockage in the artery prevents blood from flowing to the heart. Researchers illustrate the difference by describing Cardiac Arrest as an electrical problem and a Heart Attack as a plumbing problem. This is important to understand because of the critical nature of Cardiac Arrest. Cardiac Arrest typically shows no warning signs. A person experiencing Cardiac Arrest will lose consciousness almost immediately. And the amount of time that passes before the person receives treatment is critical. For every minute that passes with no treatment, that victim’s chance of survival decreases by 10%. Early intervention is the key to increasing the number of lives saved each year.
Your choice to do something comes may actually help save a life someday. A person whose heart goes into Cardiac Arrest requires a shock to restore its natural rhythm. The Automated External Defibrillator, or AED, is a portable electronic device that detects an abnormal heart rhythm and provides computerized instructions to the rescuer on how and when to use the machine to deliver a shock and then how to administer CPR. In addition to healthcare and safety facilities, AEDs are now commonly available in most public places, such as shopping malls, fitness facilities, restaurants, airports, and even schools. And they are simple to use. A study out of Seattle demonstrated that a 6th grader can figure out in a minute and a half how to use an AED. But a recent online survey found that although 89% of Americans said that would be willing to help if they witnessed a Cardiac Arrest, only 21% said they felt confident in their ability to administer CPR and only 16% reported they would be comfortable using an AED.
Compelling evidence illustrates that a quick response with an AED plus CPR gives a bystander the power to turn a tragedy into a miracle. Early defibrillation and CPR nearly double a person’s chance of survival. In communities with comprehensive CPR and AED training programs, the survival rate can reach 40% as opposed to just 6.4% in many locations. And a study conducted in casinos found a staggering 75% survival rate when AED and CPR treatment were given to people within 3 minutes of the Cardiac Arrest.
In a recent interview, Dr. Richard Page, Cardiac Electrophysiologist and President of the Heart Rhythm Society, stressed how essential it is for the layperson to take the initiative to apply the AED. “The community doesn’t truly recognize the importance of AEDs. The AED may not save everyone and even if it’s been awhile since you were trained, you should roll up your sleeves and apply the AED if you witness a cardiac arrest. That’s how you save a life.”
People often worry that they could hurt themselves or the victim when administering an AED, but as Dr. Page pointed out, AEDs cannot cause harm to either the person using it or the victim. He referred to them as “almost fool-proof”. Dr. Page also highlighted recent changes in the administration of CPR that make it easier and still effective. “CPR is simpler than it ever was! You now basically push hard and push fast. You don’t need to do the respirations anymore. For lay responders, just do the CPR.”
You never know when or where you might find yourself in this situation. Your quick response and proactive effort to help a victim of Sudden Cardiac Arrest could mean the difference between life and death.
For information on Risk Factors and Prevention, visit:
Heart Rhythm Society
To see a video on how the AED is used, visit:
Sample AED instructional video
To see a video on how to administer hands-only CPR, visit:
CPR instructional video
For CPR and AED training classes in your area, visit:
Red Cross
For more articles on various Family Health topics, visit:
http://www.Examiner.com/x-14665-Family-Health-Examiner
Do you have a Family Health topic you would like to learn more about? Feel free to make a suggestion in the comments box! Thank you! Pamela
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