Heart Diseases: strong vessels - long life

You're in the mall, the supermarket, or heading for the departure gate at the airport if you are someone before you drop to the ground. As you look around to see if anyone is aware of what is happening, you notice a sign that says "AED" or "defibrillator" with an arrow on a crate. Want to know what to do?

According the American Heart Association, approximately 350,000 people die from sudden cardiac arrest each year in the United States alone. The majority of people show no symptoms, so that they no warning. The current national survival rate for sudden cardiac arrest is less than 5%, often because medical services can not reach them in time. The probability of a successful resuscitation decreases by about 10% with every minute that passes.

Sudden Cardiac arrest is usually the result of the electrical activity of the heart to be disorganized, making it ineffective to beat. This arrhythmia is ventricular fibrillation. This leads to a lack of blood or heart rate, loss of consciousness, cessation of breathing, and leads to death very quickly, unless properly treated. CPR is important for maintaining blood flow to vital organs of the body for a short period of time, but defibrillation is the most effective treatment for the return of a heart in fibrillation to its normal rhythm. Until recently, only credentialed health professionals and trained medical service personnel were able to defibrillation to victims of sudden cardiac arrest. Precious minutes were lost from the time of the collapse of the arrival of the rescue funds. With widespread access to defibrillators, it is estimated that an additional 40,000 people lives could be saved each year in the U.S. alone.

The effectiveness of the defibrillation is directly linked to how quickly it is administered. The American Heart Association has found that maximum efficiency is achieved if defibrillation is done within 3 through 5 minutes of collapse. After 10 minutes, the likelihood of a positive outcome is extremely bad. The importance of quick and effective intervention in the AHA's "Chain of Survival" concept; early access, early CPR, early defibrillation, early advanced care. (americanheart.org)

The dissemination of public access defibrillator (PAD) since the 1990s and the accompanying PAD Program has a lot to educate the public about the early access defibrillation. Public access defibrillators can be found in local terminals, on commercial aircraft and in shopping centers. They are currently legally required in federal and state government buildings, health clubs and nursing homes, with a variety of bills now before Congress, to help them in an ever growing list of public institutions.
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The American Heart Association and the American Red Cross are just two of the nationally recognized organizations, the laity all the information and training needed to competently assess a victim, administer CPR, if indicated, and for the safe operation of an AED and effective. Numerous local training and consulting organizations accredited by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross are also available, the training and knowledge certification.

Keeping current increases confidence. With more confidence, the probability of the audience participation and the positive outcome of intervention increased. Think of the millions of "baby boomers" 45 to 60-plus years old. And getting older. They could be your customers, neighbors, employees, parents, or even you.

Anyone has the ability to save a life. With only a little training, everyone can have the chance, a hero.

Save a life. Go ahead. You can it.

Patti Armus is a registered nurse with extensive experience in critical care. In addition to providing direct patient care, she has been instrumental in the design and implementation of education and precepting programs, cardiac rehab, and public access defibrillator programs. She is certified as an AHA BLS, AED, and first aid instructor. Currently the Cardiac Program Director in a sub-acute rehab facility, she is also the President and CEO of My-Med-Keeper. http://www.my-med-keeper.com

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