CPR

Can Watching Sports Increase Heart Attack Risk?

Fall is the season of changing leaves, apple picking, back to school, and football. If you spend every Sunday (and Monday, and Thursday) watching football, it’s important to be mindful of your health. Don’t eat too much fried food, stand up at commercial breaks, and manage your stress. Here are a few ways that watching sports can affect your heart – and tips on how to mitigate those effects.

How Watching Sports Affects the Heart

Researchers have found an increase in heart attacks and arrhythmias and heart attacks during major sporting events like the Superbowl and World Cup. This is due to the stress and emotion we experience when watching a game.

When a game gets suspenseful or takes a disappointing turn, fans often feel stress. These feelings of stress and anger essentially trigger a fight-or-flight response, which causes heart rate and blood pressure to increase. All of these factors can trigger a cardiovascular event.

fans watching sports — photo credit: @koff accessed 9/6/22 via CC0

How to Manage Stress During a Big Game

If you experience high levels of stress while watching sports, take steps to manage and reduce those intense feelings. Take deep breaths, do a few stretches, and step away for a few minutes if needed. Also, try to eat healthy before and during the game, and limit the amount of alcohol you consume.

If you’re still feeling frustrated and angry after the game ends, channel it into physical activity to help release the stress.

Protect Your Health with CPR

Take care of your fellow football fans by learning hands-only CPR. You could save a life!

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR, First Aid, CNA, IV, EKG and more.

HeartCert CPR courses include CPR/AED/First Aid, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Certified Nursing Assistant training, IV training, EKG training, babysitter basics and more. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available.

We are now offering virtual CPR courses and certifications. We offer safe in-person courses at all HeartCert locations throughout the United States, including our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

This is an updated blog post that was originally published in 2018.

Four Reasons to Learn CPR

3 years ago by bwadmin Leave a Comment

If you don’t work in healthcare, or with children or vulnerable adults, or in any other setting in which CPR training is required, it may seem like there is no real reason to learn CPR. But that’s not the case. There is a very real need for laypeople to be trained in CPR and ready to perform it should they encounter a person in cardiac arrest or distress.

reasons to learn CPR — photo credit: @artisticoperations-4161274 accessed 7/1/22 via CC0

Here are a few of the many reasons why you should take a CPR/AED training course.

Why Should I Learn CPR?

1. Most Cardiac Arrests Happen at Home

More than 85 percent of cardiac arrests take place in the home. With more than 300,000 instances of cardiac arrest every year in the U.S., there is a significant likelihood that you may need CPR to save the life of your parent, spouse, or other family member.

2. CPR Protects Against Long-Term Disability

Performing CPR immediately following cardiac arrest helps blood circulate until emergency responders arrive. This protects vital organs, including the brain, from significant damage.

Read: 4 Reasons to Offer CPR Training to Employees

3. More Bystander CPR is Needed

Bystander CPR – when CPR is performed by a layperson outside of a healthcare setting – is performed in fewer than half of all cardiac arrests in the U.S. Many more lives could be saved if more people were trained and ready to perform CPR when needed.

4. It’s Easy to Learn CPR

CPR training courses are more accessible than ever. With in-person, virtual, and private options, you can learn CPR on your schedule and in just a few hours.

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR, First Aid, CNA, IV, EKG and more.

We are now offering virtual CPR courses and certifications. We continue to offer safe in-person courses at all HeartCert locations throughout the United States, including our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

This blog post was originally published in 2019 and has been updated.

Which States Mandate CPR Training in Schools?

3 years ago by bwadmin Leave a Comment

When it comes to CPR, there are three known facts. First, when CPR is performed immediately after cardiac arrest, it doubles or even triples the chances of survival. Second, that occurs in less than 10 percent of cardiac arrests that occur outside of a hospital setting. Third, CPR training increases the likelihood that a bystander will be ready and able to perform CPR when the need arises. This lifesaving opportunity is the driving force behind the American Heart Association’s CPR in Schools program.

What is CPR in Schools?

CPR in Schools is an initiative from the American Heart Association to train students in CPR, AED use, and choking relief. The training is specifically aimed at young learners, and was designed to be completed in just one class period. It comes with a toolkit that can train 10 to 20 students at once. Training can be repurposed for different classes and grade levels.

Schedule On-Site CPR Training with HeartCert

Does Your State Mandate CPR Training in School?

About 10 years ago, there was a significant effort to mandate CPR training as part of high school graduation requirements. Today, the majority of states have enacted laws requiring CPR education in schools.

In HeartCert’s home state of Minnesota, for example, students must take part in CPR training in order to graduate from high school. School districts are required to provide a onetime CPR and AED training to students at some point between grades 7 and 12.

Schools are not required to use the AHA’s CPR in Schools materials. They can set up training from a local provider such as HeartCert. Learn more about our on-site CPR/AED training options here.

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for CPR. We also train in ACLS, PALS, EMR, First Aid, CNA, IV, EKG and more, in Minnesota and throughout the United States.

We are now offering virtual CPR courses and certifications. We also offer safe in-person courses at all HeartCert locations throughout the United States, including our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

HeartCert Minneapolis Now Open

3 years ago by bwadmin Leave a Comment

HeartCert is excited to announce the opening of our newest location in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. The address of our new facility is 1201 W. River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55419. Click here for directions, and contact us with any questions.

HeartCert is now open in Minneapolis — photo credit: @am83 accessed 5/11/22 via CC0

About the HeartCert Minneapolis Training Center

The new HeartCert CPR training center is conveniently located in the Twin Cities American Red Cross headquarters. This location also serves as a blood and platelet donation center. Just off 35W and near major downtown landmarks such as U.S. Bank Stadium and Guthrie Theater, it is accessible to residents throughout the Twin Cities metro area.

Find a HeartCert Training Center Near You

Healthcare Training Courses Offered at HeartCert Minneapolis

In addition to our standard CPR, First Aid and AED courses, we offer a wide variety of trainings at our new location. These include: BLS, ACLS and PALS; Certified Nursing Assistant Courses, IV and EKG training; 1 on 1 flexible CPR training; and CPR instructor courses.

Not near a HeartCert location? Sign up for a virtual CPR certification course!

Our skilled and experienced CPR instructors are also available for on-site CPR training courses. If you have a group of employees or team members who want or need to be certified in CPR, first aid, or AED use, contact HeartCert to schedule your on-site training today. Discounted class vouchers are available for companies where employees need training at different times.

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR, First Aid, CNA, IV, EKG and more, in Minnesota and throughout the United States.

We are now offering virtual CPR courses and certifications, as well as safe in-person courses at all locations and our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

Actor Says CPR, AED Saved His Life

3 years ago by bwadmin Leave a Comment

When actor Bob Odenkirk collapsed on the set of his television show “Better Caul Saul” in the summer of 2021, his co-stars immediately called for help. The show’s health officer rushed over and began performing CPR. In interviews a few months later, Odenkirk credited that quick response, the use of an AED, and his recent physical activity for saving his life.

actor saved by CPR — photo credit: @mikhail-nilov accessed 4/10/22 via CC0

Actor Credits CPR For Saving His Life

Odenkirk says he suffered a “heart-related incident” and collapsed on set in July 2021. The on-set health officer performed CPR for 12 minutes. She then asked another person to take over, while she retrieved and administered an AED, or automated external defibrillator.

Odenkirk had to be shocked with the AED three times before his heart resumed its rhythm. His representatives later told the media that he was in stable condition.

In interviews, Odenkirk credits the quick action of his co-stars and the health officer in immediately starting CPR and using the AED when appropriate. He also says that he had recently increased his physical activity and stamina while training for a movie role. Not only did this improve the health of his cardiovascular system, but it made CPR more effective. He believes it also made recovery easier.

Read: What’s the Easiest Way to Prevent Heart Disease? Physical Activity

Odenkirk is fortunate that he had someone on set who was trained in CPR and AED use. The majority of people who suffer a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting don’t fare so well. This is why CPR training is so important. You could save a life! Register for a HeartCert CPR course today.

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR, First Aid, CNA, IV and more, in Minnesota and throughout the United States.

HeartCert CPR courses include CPR/AED/First Aid, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Certified Nursing Assistant training, IV training, babysitter training and more. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available.

We are now offering virtual CPR courses and certifications, as well as safe in-person courses at all locations and our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

Introducing a Private CPR Training Option

3 years ago by bwadmin Leave a Comment

HeartCert is excited to introduce a new, one-of-a-kind CPR training option. Our private CPR course allows you to choose a time that works for your schedule. CPR certification has never been easier!

Why We Launched Our Private CPR Course

There’s no question that CPR saves lives. According to the American Heart Association, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of a hospital setting every year. Only about 10% of people who experience cardiac arrest in a non-medical setting survive. But if CPR is performed immediately, the chances of survival double or even triple.

Read: What’s the Difference Between Heart Attack and Cardiac Arrest?

Unfortunately, bystander CPR is performed on fewer than half of all out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. By offering CPR training courses that are easy and accessible, we’re hoping to change that number.

How Does Private CPR Training Work?

When you enroll for our private CPR certification course, you’ll be able to choose a time that works for your schedule. You’ll receive immediate access to online training materials and videos. When you’ve completed the coursework, you’ll have access to our Eagan, MN headquarters at your scheduled time.

Then, an instructor will connect with you virtually to take you through the final steps of the CPR certification process. You will receive an American Red Cross CPR certification, which is valid for two years.

See how it works:

We’re offering two options for private CPR training: Basic Life Support (BLS) and Adult/Child/Infant CPR/AED with First Aid.

Learn more and register here, and contact us with any questions.

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR, First Aid, CNA, IV and more, in Minnesota and throughout the United States.

HeartCert CPR courses include CPR/AED/First Aid, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Certified Nursing Assistant training, IV training, babysitter training and more. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available.

We are now offering virtual CPR courses and certifications, as well as safe in-person courses at all locations and our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

Can Watching Sports Increase Heart Attack Risk?

How Watching Sports Affects the Heart

How to Manage Stress During a Big Game

Protect Your Health with CPR

Four Reasons to Learn CPR