Volume 26 | February 2023
Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall’s Cardiovascular Institute is committed to you and our community. We pride ourselves on being an engaged partner with the many constituencies that we serve. As part of our commitment to meeting your heart health needs, we have developed this quarterly newsletter filled with information that can improve the quality of, and in some cases, help save your life. If there are topics that you would like to see covered in future editions, please e-mail Beverly Keefer, Director of Cardiovascular Services, Cardiac Cath and Interventional Radiology at bkeefer@montefioreslc.org.
February is Heart Month – and it is an opportunity to review some of the statistics regarding heart disease.
In one year alone – 436,000 Americans die from a cardiac arrest. Globally, cardiac arrest claims more lives than colorectal cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, influenza, pneumonia, auto accidents, firearms, and house fires.
Source: (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Quality PDF)
More than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of the hospital each year. CPR, if administered immediately after an arrest, can double or triple a person’s chance of survival. CPR or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation is an emergency lifesaving procedure performed when the heart stops beating.
Long before Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest on the football field, the American Heart Association had already chosen “Be the Beat” as the theme for this year’s Heart Month!
CPR is important as it keeps the blood flow active and extends the opportunity for a successful resuscitation once trained medical staff arrive to the site of the arrest.
ANYONE can do CPR!!!
THE 6 LINKS IN THE ADULT OUT-OF-HOSPITAL CHAIN OF SURVIVAL
1. Recognition of cardiac arrest and activation of the emergency response system (calling 9-1-1 as soon as possible)
2. Early CPR with an emphasis on chest compressions
3. Rapid defibrillation with a nearby AED (automatic external defibrillator), if one is nearby
4. Advanced resuscitation by Emergency Medical Services and other healthcare providers
5. Post-cardiac arrest care
6. Recovery (including additional treatment, observation, rehabilitation, and psychological support)
A strong Chain of Survival can improve chances of recovery for victims of cardiac arrest.
HANDS-ONLY CPR
For the public or bystanders who witness an adult suddenly collapse, compression-only CPR or hands-only CPR is something that can be started immediately.
Hands-only CPR is CPR without mouth-to-mouth breaths. It is recommended for use by people who see a teen or adult collapse in an out-of-hospital setting (such as at home, at work, or in a public space).
Hands-Only CPR consists of two easy steps:
1. Call 9-1-1 (or send someone to do that)
2. Push hard and fast in the center of the chest
To perform CPR, place the heel of one hand in the center of the chest. Place the other hand on top and interlock the fingers. Push straight down hard and fast at 100 to 120 beats a minute. (That’s the rhythm of the Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive.” You can also have someone search Google for “metronome” and enter “110.”)
YOU DON’T NEED CERTIFICATION
Training is great, and refresher courses are important but you absolutely do not have to have a card or be certified to perform CPR.
If you see someone collapse - shake the patient gently and ask, “Are you OK?”
If they are not breathing or are breathing abnormally or it appears the person is gasping for air, start CPR. Remember to start pressing hard and fast in the middle of the chest.
One of the biggest misconceptions about CPR is that you can harm someone in cardiac arrest.The biggest risk is not doing something. There is more potential harm by not doing or not participating in providing bystander CPR when somebody collapses in front of you.
If you are interested in taking a course to learn the lifesaving skills of CPR, first aid, and AED, the AHA can provide information at https://www.heart.org
LEARNING CAN BE SIMPLE
Taking a CPR course will help people know how to respond
Learn CPR Today – You never know whose life you may save and remember to call 911 first!