On World Heart Day I wanted to talk to you about how you can save someone during a cardiac arrest.
Two years back, a very close relative suddenly died after a sudden cardiac arrest. While life and death happen when they happen, unexpected events leave us feeling distraught and searching for answers.
Even though cardiovascular events are responsible for leading cause of noncommunicable death, most people are not aware of basic Cardiopulmonary resuscitation. In India, many public facilities lack adequate preparedness as first responders.
What is a Sudden cardiac arrest?
A sudden cardiac arrest is an event where the heart stops pumping blood, which may be reversible on prompt action. However, it will invariably lead to death in case of lack of timely effort (Harrison).
Stats to keep in mind
Approximately 7 lakh people succumb to Sudden cardiac arrest every year in India. SCA leads as the cause of death globally, and Indians with sedentary habits are at an even higher risk
Shocking case reports
A young 22 yr old, promising RJ of one of the leading radio stations in India, died within minutes of suffering an SCA while live on-air, in Nagpur.
In 2008, a 12-year-old Delhi student collapsed and died due to cardiac arrest on her school’s football field.
At 27 a Punjabi pilgrim died of massive cardiac arrest at Amarnath.
How to recognize Sudden cardiac arrest symptoms?
A person who collapses, is unconscious and unresponsive, is not breathing and the pulse or heartbeat can’t be felt – has likely suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. It may often be massive with little or no warning symptoms.
How to save someone during a sudden cardiac arrest out of a hospital?
If you witnessed or suspected someone to be suffering from a sudden cardiac arrest.
Call the emergency ambulance number immediately on mobile phone with speaker mode on.
What is the emergency ambulance number in India? It’s 108.
Its 911 in the USA.
Keep the mobile phone in speaker mode so that you can start CPR while calling for help. Two people can be more useful than one in this case,
Avoid crowding the person
The airway should be adequate. Tilt head up and lift the chin. You want oxygen to enter.
Start CPR or basic life support as quickly as possible.
Ask someone to grab an AED nearby while you continue CPR. The moment you get the AED, switch it on and let the machine guide you in its calm voice through the process of defibrillation. The AED or Automated External Defibrillator is the one and only definite solution to save a life in case of cardiac arrest. AEDs like the Philips HeartStart are extremely simple to operate that anyone with little or no prior knowledge or training has the power to save a life with this.
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What are the CPR steps?
Put your palm on the chest of the person. Then place your hand at the junction of the middle and lower third of the sternum. Then place heel of upper hand on the dorsum of the lower and lock the fingers. The sternum should be depressed 4-5 cm for every chest compression(push down on the chest). The arms should remain straight out during the entire process of chest compression. Give 100 chest compressions per minute.
What is automated defibrillation & how is it done?
Automated defibrillation is a process of giving an electric shock to the heart which has stopped, using a machine to restore the heart to a normal rhythm. The device is called Automated external defibrillator.
Why do Sudden Cardiac arrests occur?
Most cases of sudden cardiac arrests happen due to ventricular tachycardia or Ventricular fibrillation, both of which are an electrical malfunction of the heart. It may or may not be due to pre-existing heart disease, or not. However, sudden cardiac arrest is a warning.
Remember, all the while during the cardiac arrest the person’s heart is not beating properly, and there is no blood or oxygen flowing to the brain and other parts of the body. Best chances of recovery are within 3 minutes. After 5 minutes, the chances of neurological damages increase, and beyond 8 minutes, the possibility of coming back to life is minimal.
How can communities come forward to prevent death from sudden cardiac arrest?
Organize basic life support training workshops for adults and children so that anyone available can start CPR.
Spread awareness about healthy lifestyle practices to live better.
Residential complexes, sports and activity complexes, schools, colleges, and all public spaces with first aid facility can help save lives by having AEDs available.
Effective CPR can help buy some time, but electronically resetting the heart using AED is the only definitive way to bring it back to life. Without access to AEDs in public areas, it is almost impossible to prevent fatal neurological damage if cardiac arrest occurs outside the hospital
While primordial prevention and primary prevention are essential to focus its necessary for all health facilities, public spaces, bystanders and emergency first responders to be prepared.
Takeaway:
Live life healthy, get basic life support training & stay well equipped to save someone’s life. That’s someone could be your friend, family, loved ones too. You have the power to be a Heart Hero!
2 million+ AEDs are saving lives in schools, airplanes, and malls around the world.
To know more about Philips AEDs, please call tollfree 1800 419 8844
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