HeartCert CPR St. Cloud MN

Affordable CPR Training near you

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How Does Irregular Sleep Affect Heart Health?

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A new study has found that people with irregular sleep patterns are at a higher risk of heart disease and cardiovascular events such as stroke, coronary heart disease and congestive heart failure. Irregular sleep patterns are defined as night-to-night differences in duration of sleep, as well as the times at which a person went to bed and woke up. Because many of us likely experience these irregularities, it’s important to understand the risk and take action.

sleep

In the study, researchers used monitoring devices to track the sleep of nearly 2,000 people for seven days each, then followed each participant for about four years. None of the participants had heart disease at the start of the study. But during that time, 95 people experienced heart disease, heart failure or stroke, sometimes fatal.

Researchers found that people for whom time spent sleeping varied by more than two hours from night to night were 2.2 times more likely to suffer from some form of heart disease in the succeeding years. Those who had a varying bedtime of 90 minutes or more had double the heart disease risk.

So how can we improve our sleep? Doctors advise minimizing the use of mobile devices before bed. This is because the blue light from screens can interfere with sleep quality and regularity. Track your sleep using a wearable device or simply a journal to understand and improve your schedule.

If someone in your family or workplace suffers cardiac arrest, are you prepared? Sign up for a HeartCert CPR class today.

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for First Aid and CPR in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota. We now offer online, night and weekend classes to fit your busy schedule! We offer a variety of courses, including CPR/AED/First Aid and CPR/AED, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Emergency Medical Responder – First Responder (EMR).

Find your CPR class at any of our convenient Twin Cities locations, including our new headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

Hands-Only CPR Boost Bystander Intervention

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A new study has confirmed that the adoption of hands-only CPR has made bystanders more likely to perform CPR on someone in cardiac arrest. Because receiving any form of CPR doubles the odds of surviving a cardiac arrest, this is excellent, lifesaving news!

hands-only cpr

Hands-only CPR became more widely known and accepted after 2015, when the American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines included the option in its CPR guidelines. Now, instead of requiring both chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth rescue breaths, bystanders can choose to only perform compressions until medical help arrives.

In the study, Swedish researchers examined more than 30,400 people who suffered a cardiac arrest in a non-hospital setting. Twenty percent received hands-only CPR, while 39 percent received standard CPR and 40 percent received no CPR until emergency responders arrived.

This may seem like mixed results, but those numbers indicate a significant increase in bystander CPR performance rates. The numbers increased  from 40.8 percent in 2000-2005 to 68.2 percent in 2011-2017. And although this survey was performed in Sweden, recent research has shown similar increases in the United States.

According to the AHA, more than 325,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of a hospital setting every year in the United States. Receiving immediate CPR keeps the blood flow active until medical help arrives on scene. This more than doubles the odds of survival!

Do you want to be a lifesaver? Sign up for a HeartCert CPR class today.

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for First Aid and CPR in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota. We now offer online, night and weekend classes to fit your busy schedule!

Find your CPR Class, PALS Class, BLS Class, EMR Class or ACLS Class at any of our convenient Twin Cities locations, including our new headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan:

We also have three partner locations in greater Minnesota:

HeartCert CPR Introduces New Eagan Headquarters

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HeartCert CPR is excited to announce the grand opening of our new headquarters in Eagan! This new location will serve as our home base, providing a centralized location for our CPR courses and permitting us to offer new classes, such as our new training for Emergency Medical Responders.

Minutes from downtown Minneapolis, the Mall of America and MSP International Airport, and an easy drive from most Twin Cities suburbs, Eagan was a logical choice for our home base. The office is spacious and well-appointed, offering a welcoming and comfortable space to learn CPR, First Aid and more.

Eagan

In addition to CPR courses and our corporate offices, the Eagan location is also available for rent for meetings, trainings, conferences and more. With free parking and Wi-Fi, a fully-stocked kitchenette, on-site audio-visual and copy/scan/print equipment, multiple private office spaces and more, HeartCert Eagan is the perfect place to host your next corporate event. Our rates are competitive, and with 24/7 access, we can fit your schedule. Learn more, schedule a tour, and reserve space here!

We can’t wait to see you at our new location! Visit the Eagan class calendar and sign up for a course today. Contact us with any questions.

 

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for First Aid and CPR in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota. We now offer online, night and weekend classes to fit your busy schedule!

Find your CPR Class, PALS Class, BLS Class, EMR Class or ACLS Class at any of our convenient Minnesota locations, including our new headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan:

We also partner with Appleton and Anchorage for select classes.

HeartCert CPR Introduces Emergency Medical Responders Course

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HeartCert CPR has introduced a new course providing lifesaving training for Emergency Medical Responders. This course is designed for firefighters, police officers, security guards, and any other Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals who could be first on the scene of a medical emergency.

Emergency Medical Responders

Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs) are a vital part of the comprehensive EMS response. EMRs, also known as first responders, have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide immediate lifesaving interventions with minimal equipment, usually while awaiting additional EMS resources to arrive. EMRs also provide assistance to higher-level personnel at the scene of emergencies and during transport.

This course can be taken either in a traditional classroom setting, a blended learning setting (with some online course work required prior to an in-person practical skill session) or onsite. We offer both an initial and a refresher course. The same certification is administered for each type of session, and BLS certification is included.

Participants will have the chance to take both the Minnesota and national certification tests at the conclusion of class. Testing fees may apply.

The HeartCert CPR Emergency Medical Responder course is certified through the Minnesota Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board (EMSRB).

Visit the Emergency Medical Responder course page to learn more and to sign up. Our first course begins in March, so register today! Contact us to schedule an onsite training.

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for First Aid and CPR in Minnesota. We now offer night and weekend classes to fit your busy schedule!

Find your CPR Class, PALS Class, BLS Class or ACLS Class at any of our Minnesota locations, including our new headquarters location, HeartCert CPR Eagan:

We also partner with Appleton and Anchorage for select classes.

Five Reasons to Learn CPR in 2019

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Did you set New Year’s resolutions for 2019? Perhaps you want to eat better, sleep more, get more exercise, or budget your money more wisely. Whatever your resolutions, we have one to add to your list: learn CPR.

Learning CPR is fast, easy and inexpensive – and it could make you a hero. Check out our full lineup of CPR, AED and first aid courses, and read on for five great reasons to learn CPR in 2019!

CPR Can Save a Life

More than 300,000 people suffer from cardiac arrest every year in the U.S. When this happens, time is of the essence – the longer the body stays in arrest, the lower the chance of survival. CPR helps the blood circulate until help arrives. In fact, research shows that the likelihood of surviving a cardiac arrest more than doubles when CPR is performed.

More CPR is Needed

Bystander CPR is performed in less than half of cardiac arrests in the U.S. – between 15 and 30 percent, in fact. The most common reason given for not performing CPR is a lack of training.

CPR Does Not Require Mouth-to-Mouth Resuscitation

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In 2010, the guidelines for performing CPR were changed. Now, only people who are trained and feel comfortable performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation should do so. For the rest, hands-only CPR is an excellent, life-saving option.

Most Cardiac Arrests Happen at Home

More than 85 percent, in fact. You may need CPR to save the life of your parent, spouse, sibling or child. What better motivation is there?

CPR is Easy to Learn!

CPR classes are readily available, affordable, and take just a couple of hours. That’s a small trade-off for learning how to save a life.

 

Ready to learn CPR in 2019?

Check out the HeartCert CPR class offerings and sign up today.

 

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for First Aid and CPR in Minnesota. Find your CPR Class, PALS Class, BLS Class or ACLS Class at any of our Minnesota locations, including our newest location, HeartCert CPR Eagan:

We also partner with Appleton and Anchorage for select classes.

Maintain a Healthy Blood Pressure this Holiday Season

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The holiday season is a fun and special time of year – but it can also be stressful. The endless to-do list and hectic schedule, combined with short days, end-of-year projects at work, and potential family drama can take a toll. For those with high blood pressure, especially, the stress of the holidays can pose a very real health risk.

holiday

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is one of the leading risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Approximately 80 million Americans have high blood pressure, so it’s important to help our loved ones have a healthier holiday – and to make sure that at least one person at our holiday parties is trained in hands only CPR!

Here are a few tips for maintaining a healthy blood pressure this holiday season, courtesy of the American Heart Association.

Minimize Stress

This is a tough one, but it’s so important. Instead of focusing on your stress (which can actually make you feel even more stressed!), brainstorm some ideas for self-care and stress relief. Try shopping online to avoid crowds, or visiting the mall during off-hours. Perhaps you can leave a holiday party early to have a quiet evening at home alone. Schedule a massage or a pedicure – if nothing else, it’ll give you something to look forward to!

Avoid Sodium

Many of the holiday treats we love can be pretty bad for us. Instead of trying to abstain completely (which never really works), focus on making better choices when you can. Popular holiday party foods like cheese and cured meats are usually pretty high in sodium, so stick to the fruit and veggie tray instead!

Take Your Medicine – But Watch OTCs

In the busyness of the season, it’s common for everyday tasks – like taking medicine – to fall by the wayside. But if you have high blood pressure, it’s crucial for your health to keep your medicine routine constant. If you’re having trouble remembering to take your meds, talk to your doctor about potentially finding a different prescription.

On a related note, be wary of taking over the counter medications – specifically cold and flu medicine with decongestant. These can increase your blood pressure. If you’re suffering from seasonal illness, ask your doctor to recommend a safer alternative.

Happy Holidays from HeartCert!

 

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for First Aid and CPR in Minnesota. Find your CPR Class, PALS Class, BLS Class or ACLS Class at any of our Minnesota locations:

We also partner with Appleton and Anchorage for select classes.