Good Health Keeps Healthy Hearts on Track

Sammie Paris

Keeping our bodies active and hearts healthy is one of the most important things people can do, but if ever there were a problem with our heart, NDA has students covered with various AED devices around the school.

AED stands for Automatic External Defibrillator, and if ever one of NDA’s a student’s or faculty member’s ’s heart goes out of its rhythm, the device will shock and reset their her heart to get it back to normal.

According to NDA nurse Mrs. Kris Beeks, this device is not anything to be scared of, and an AED device immediately becomes less scary when a person knows how to use it.

If there ever were a case where someone is unconscious and not breathing, Mrs. Beeks says the first step is to call for help, meaning 911 and an adult.

The next step is to start CPR while someone else acquires the nearest AED device, several of which there are numerous located around the school.

When the AED device is acquired, turn it on and listen to the audio instructions.

Remove all clothing surrounding the patient’s chest, including the bra, and apply the electrode pads to the person’s bare, dry skin. The AED device’s instructions will tell you exactly where to put these pads, but will be in the general area of below the chest on the left side and above it on the right.

Allow the AED device to analyze the person’s heart rhythm and make sure no one is touching the person when the AED delivers a defibrillation shock.

From there, the AED device will give out audio instructions telling you exactly what to do and how to handle the situation.

Above all else, stay calm and listen to the instructions the device gives you so that you are able to save a life for someone in the blessed NDA community.

While sometimes a person has no chance in stopping their heart from going out of rhythm, there are still ways to help avoid this from happening and keep bodies healthy.

Many things can lead to heart disease and the buildup of plaque in the arteries, including high blood pressure, too much cholesterol, smoking, or too much sugar. When plaque blocks an artery, it is hard for blood to flow to the heart which then causes it to stop and go out of its normal rhythm. These issues should be treated by a doctor.

To avoid this disease and buildup of plaque, people can eat healthy, especially fish such as salmon, tuna, and trout, lean meats, eggs, nuts, soy products, and various legumes.

Getting active is another major factor in preventing heart disease, especially cardio-based exercises. Keeping control of cholesterol and blood pressure by eating a healthy diet will also significantly keep a person’s heart safe and protected.

“Fruit, veggies, drinking enough water, getting enough cardio exercise, and overall taking care of yourself is the best way to keep yourself healthy and happy,” Mrs. Beeks said.

Make sure you talk to your doctor about your specific health needs before making any lifestyle changes.