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5 Reasons Why Everyone Should Know CPR

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man clutching chest - why everyone should know cprWould you know what to do if a loved one collapsed suddenly in front of you? Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death in the world. CPR can be the difference between life and death. You can’t assume that someone else will step in – that’s why it’s so important to learn CPR. Getting certified is easier than you think. Reserve your spot now!

1. CPR Saves Lives

Over 300,000 individuals experience cardiac arrests annually in the United States. Sudden cardiac arrest disrupts the heart’s electrical rhythm, leading to a failure in effective blood pumping. This can lead to a person suddenly collapsing, losing consciousness, and stopping breathing. Prompt CPR can substantially boost survival rates by maintaining blood circulation until advanced medical assistance arrives, increasing the chances of survival by more than double when initiated early.

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2. CPR is Not Performed Enough

Would you be surprised to learn that bystander CPR is done in less than half of all out-of-hospital cardiac arrests? National statistics have shown that only 15 to 30 percent of people who experience sudden cardiac arrests outside of hospitals receive bystander CPR. 

When people are asked why they would not give CPR, a very common answer is that they never received training. Other concerns include fear of harming the individual in need of lifesaving support, legal risks, or concerns about infection. These concerns often diminish once people learn proper CPR techniques, and CPR-trained individuals find themselves empowered to help others in the event of a medical emergency.

3. You Don’t Have to Do Mouth-to-Mouth Resuscitation

Another reason people report they do not perform CPR is because of concerns about performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. In 2010, the guidelines for performing CPR changed, and they now say that those who do not feel comfortable or who have not received formal training, should attempt hands-only CPR. We advocate performing chest compressions even without breathing assistance. Hands-only CPR has been proven to be just as effective for many adults who experience sudden cardiac arrest.

4. Hands-Only CPR is Easy to Learn

Here are the basic steps to perform hands-only CPR:

  1. Place the heel of your hand on the center of the victim’s chest. 
  2. Place your other hand on top of the first, interlacing your fingers. 
  3. Press down on the chest about two inches and release. 

You want to repeat this quickly, at least 100 times a minute. And don’t stop doing CPR until emergency services arrive at the scene – recent studies have found that people may have a better chance of surviving with normal brain function when CPR is continued up to 38 minutes or even longer.

With the advancement in technology, learning CPR has never been easier. HeartCert offers in-person, online, private kiosk, and group CPR courses that are accessible and convenient based on your schedule and learning style. The goal is to find the learning technique that works best for you so that you are comfortable if you are ever in a situation where you can save a life!

5. Most Cardiac Arrests Occur in the Home

More than 85 percent of cardiac arrests take place at home. As a result, individuals frequently report having their lives saved because of CPR performed by a husband, wife, child, or friend. In fact, there has been a big push, led by the American Heart Association, to bring CPR training to schools, which can save even more lives. So take the challenge. If you don’t know CPR, learn CPR and gain the confidence in knowing that if you are ever needed, you too can save a life!

 Don’t wait until it’s too late – register to learn CPR today. 

This is an updated blog post that was originally published in 2016.

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.

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, as well as safe in-person courses at all locations and our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

Common Heart Attack Symptoms in Women

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If someone asked you to name common heart attack symptoms, what would you say? The first to come to mind would probably be sudden chest pressure, left arm pain and a loss of consciousness. And that’s not wrong – if you’re talking about common symptoms in men. When it comes to women, heart attack symptoms are different, and they’re often much less obvious.

heart attack symptoms
photo credit: @kellysikkema accessed 1/5/20 via CC0

Different Causes Result in Different Symptoms

When men suffer a heart attack, it’s often caused by significant plaque build up and a resulting blood clot. Therefore, symptoms are more likely to be sudden and severe, like those discussed above.

What’s the difference between heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest? Click here to learn more.

In women, however, heart attacks are more often caused by plaque erosion – when smaller pieces of plaque partially block arteries. Because this is a more subtle stop of blood flow, symptoms are less severe and recognizable.

Common Heart Attack Symptoms in Women

Half of women don’t experience any chest pain, and many of the common symptoms mimic other ailments. This is why it’s important for women to understand their risk factors, watch for symptoms, and always advocate for their health.

Common symptoms include:

  • Sudden, extreme fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Indigestion and heartburn
  • Dizziness
  • Back and neck pain
  • Arm and jaw pain
  • Chest pain, discomfort and pressure

If you experience any of these symptoms, don’t hesitate to contact a medical professional.

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR and First Aid in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota.

HeartCert CPR courses include CPR/AED/First Aid and CPR/AED, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Certified Nursing Assistant training. 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 our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

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

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

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Many people associate CPR with heart attacks. However, because heart attacks usually don’t cause the heart to stop beating, CPR is not often needed following a heart attack. In contrast, a sudden cardiac arrest occurs suddenly, without warning, and stops the heart from pumping blood. This is when CPR is needed to save the patient’s life, and to preserve brain and organ function.

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What are other differences between heart attack and cardiac arrest? We turned to the American Heart Association for more information.

What is a Heart Attack?

When a blocked artery prevents oxygen-rich blood from reaching a section of the heart, that part of the heart begins to die. If the blocked artery is not reopened, damage can be severe.

Because of the gradual nature of a heart attack, symptoms often begin and build slowly, over the course of several hours, days, or even weeks. And symptoms vary, especially between men and women. It’s important to know and be able to recognize symptoms and seek medical attention as soon as possible.

sudden cardiac arrest
photo credit: @averey accessed 12/2/20 via CC0

What is a Sudden Cardiac Arrest?

Unlike the slow build of a heart attack, a sudden cardiac arrest occurs with little warning. The effects are immediate. Cardiac arrest is triggered by an irregular heartbeat (also known as arrhythmia). This disrupts the heart’s ability to pump blood throughout the body.

Without CPR performed by a bystander or medical professional, the patient will lose consciousness and die in a matter of minutes. Even if the patient survives, the lack of blood and oxygen to the brain and organs could cause permanent damage. This is why it’s vitally important for bystanders to know CPR – and be ready and willing to perform it when necessary.

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR and First Aid in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota.

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

We are now offering virtual CPR courses and certifications! Find your CPR class at any of our convenient Twin Cities locations, including our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

American Heart Association Issues New CPR Guidelines

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In the new CPR guidelines recently issued by the American Heart Association, the importance of bystander CPR was re-emphasized. “Cardiac arrest is a life-or-death situation,” the AHA committee chair said. “When every second counts, it’s important for lay people to be ready and willing to start CPR.”

The new guidelines recommend that bystanders CPR even if they aren’t sure whether the victim is in cardiac arrest. The risk of harm from CPR is low – especially when compared to the potential risk of cardiac arrest.

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New CPR Guidelines Focus on Recovery

CPR guidelines
photo credit: @shvetsa accessed 10/30/20 via CC0

In a change, the new CPR guidelines add recovery to the “chain of survival.” The chain of survival is a series of actions that determine how and to what extent a patient will recover from cardiac arrest. Those actions include calling 911, performing CPR, and using an automated external defibrillator (AED).

The new recovery phase includes treatment, surveillance and rehabilitation, which includes monitoring and treating depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress caused by the cardiac arrest and heart disease treatment.

Expanding Bystander CPR

The new guidelines also included efforts to encourage bystander CPR. The AHA suggests leveraging mobile phone technology to alert bystanders of a nearby cardiac event. In addition, there is a need for bystander training tailored to specific racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic populations that traditionally have lower rates of bystander CPR.

Ready to learn CPR? HeartCert is here to help. We’re offering virtual CPR training options to keep our students safe. Contact us to learn more.

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR and First Aid in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota.

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

We are now offering virtual CPR courses and certifications! Find your CPR class at any of our convenient Twin Cities locations, including our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

Heart Attack Symptoms Differ in Women and Men

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When heart attacks are portrayed on TV or in movies, they almost always happen the same way. Someone (usually a man) stops moving and talking, and his eyes go wide. He clutches his chest, gasps that his left arm is numb, then falls to the ground. It’s a dramatic scene, but it’s not really how heart attacks happen in the real world. In fact, heart attack symptoms can be much more varied. Moreover, men and women often experience significantly different symptoms.

women

In order to be aware and understand whether you may be having a heart attack, it’s first important to know the possible symptoms. We’ll go over how those symptoms differ in men and women, as detailed by WomenHeart.

What is a Heart Attack?

Heart attacks occur when a main artery becomes either partially or completely blocked, cutting off blood flow to the heart. This can happen for a variety of reasons.

What are the Symptoms in Women?

For women, heart attacks are more commonly caused by plague erosion. This occurs when smaller pieces of plaque break off and partially block arteries. Because this is a more subtle stop of blood flow, symptoms aren’t always completely indicative of a heart attack. This is why it’s even more important for women to know the potential symptoms and advocate for themselves. Half of women who have heart attacks don’t experience any form of chest pain!

Symptoms include:

  • Chest pain, discomfort and pressure
  • Back and neck pain
  • Arm and jaw pain
  • Indigestion and heartburn
  • Dizziness
  • Sudden, extreme fatigue
  • Shortness of breath

What are the Symptoms in Men?

In comparison, men are more likely to experience a complete stoppage of blood flow to the heart. This is because plaque usually ruptures off the artery wall, creating a large blood clot. The symptoms may be more sudden and severe.

Symptoms include:

  • Sudden chest pain, discomfort and pressure
  • Left arm pain
  • Cold sweats

Just like it’s important to know your heart attack risk, it’s essential to know what to do if someone near you begins to show symptoms. HeartCert CPR offers FREE CPR and First Aid courses through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota. 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:

We also partner with Appleton and Anchorage for select classes.

Holiday Heart Attacks and How to Avoid Them

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christmas tree

The holidays are full of sugary-treats and last-minute stress, so it’s no wonder that December and January are the most dangerous times of the year for heart attacks.

The American Heart Association reports that deaths from heart attacks peak during December and January, possibly due to changes in diet and alcohol consumption, stress from family interactions, strained finances, travel and entertaining, and respiratory problems from burning wood.

As the AHA reports:

“We tend to exercise less and eat more during the holidays,” said John Osborne, M.D., Ph.D., a Dallas-area preventive cardiologist. “It’s a very stressful time. There’s a lot of emotion attached to the holidays and that can be another factor to why we have more cardiovascular events.”

As the holidays upend routines, taking medications as prescribed can also get lost in the shuffle, Osborne said.

“I can’t tell you how often I get calls from patients who have traveled somewhere and forgot their medications,” he said, adding that he worries more about the patients who don’t contact him. “Some people figure they’ll be fine to be off them for a week or so, but if you start missing medications, that can have a big impact on causing your blood pressure to be out of control.”

For those who have already had a heart attack, the heightened risk during the holidays is particularly dangerous. That’s because about one in five heart attack survivors age 45 and older will have another heart attack within five years.

Being with family during the holidays is a good time for patients to talk about their health history — not just heart attacks, but also high blood pressure and high cholesterol, experts say.

“We can dramatically lower the risk of cardiovascular events with lifestyle changes, but don’t ignore your family history,” Osborne said. “Genetics can catch up to you, even if you’re doing all the right stuff.”

Heart disease can be prevented in many cases through lifestyle factors, such as maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, controlling cholesterol and blood pressure and not smoking, but “making lifestyle changes can be difficult,” Osborne said.

“I admit to my patients that I don’t love to exercise, but I really feel great having exercised,” he said. “Getting that motivation can be painful, but it’s fantastic when you get to the other side.”

Osborne said tools such as mobile apps can provide education and electronic reminders to help people stay focused on heart health.

“I have a very brief period with patients,” he said. “Tools like apps can encourage good health behaviors, being that gentle in-your-face technology.”

Now’s the time to schedule your CPR training for 2018. Remember to stay safe through the holidays.

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 Duluth, Mankato, Rochester, Appleton and Anchorage for select classes.