With 70% of Americans who feel helpless whenever a sudden cardiac emergency occurs at home, CPR is certainly a skill that is a “must have” for every individual.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation is not something that should only be known to rescuers, firefighters, nurses, doctors or caregivers, considering that emergencies can happen anywhere where these heroes may not be around. Most cardiac emergencies occur at home and the crucial seconds that could mean saving a loved one may simply lie in your hands.
Out of the more than 300,000 cases of sudden cardiac arrests occurring in places other than hospitals, 88% of such happen at home. In fact, many victims are not known to be suffering from a particular disease or health problem. Remember that a heart attack is not synonymous to cardiac arrest, the former occurring whenever blood supply to the heart is blocked while the latter is the result of the former.
Based on the abovementioned numbers, it now becomes imperative for at least one member of the family to know the basics of CPR. The risk of a cardiac arrest will always be there and it is a matter of choice whether you would like to understand the basics of this life-saving measure or not.
Administering CPR immediately after the emergency occurs is meant to save lives. Majority of cases of cardiac emergencies, where no CPR was administered, lead to deaths. And, most of the time, such cases are those that happen outside hospitals where no health professional is around. These emergencies don’t only happen in homes, they also happen in malls, cafes, restaurants and other public places. If you know CPR, you can administer what is referred to as bystander CPR and save a life.
Today, the American Heart Association endorses Hands-Only CPR. This process no longer includes mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and only continuous hands-only chest compressions. According to the AHA, Hands-Only CPR is just as effective in treating patients as the CPR with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. This has been promoted by the AHA since 2008. It is easier to learn and one can have basic knowledge on its implementation by simply watching a one-minute video on how it is done.
Who can be saved by CPR?
Everyone! At home, CPR is applicable on adults, children and even babies. This is why it is strongly encouraged for families to have a member learn the basics of CPR. This is all the more recommended for those with family history of a heart attack. Some of the things that will tell you that you are in danger of a cardiac emergency are chest pain, nausea or vomiting, shortness of breath and pain the jaw. If these symptoms start becoming noticeable, you need to be more wary of your condition.
Here are some tips that you can do to prevent a sudden cardiac arrest:
- Refrain from smoking. If you can quit smoking, do it.
- Stay fit, be active physically.
- Eat a balanced diet. Choose foods that are heart-healthy.
- Limit alcohol intake. As much as possible, it shouldn’t be more than one, or at most 2 drinks per day.
Remember that a sudden cardiac arrest can occur in anyone. Sometimes there may not be any sign that will be noticeable. So aside from taking the proper precautionary measures, better learn CPR today.
