Heart attack - Know how and what to do (Posted 7/12/2010 02:42 pm)
By Christopher Amos
The only think more terrifying than experiencing a heart attack can be witnessing someone experiencing a heart attack and helplessly not knowing what to do.

According to the American Heart Association, less than one third of sudden cardiac arrest victims are administered immediate live-saving cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, from a bystander. The primary reason is the bystander simply does not know what to do.

Statistics on how CPR training can effect a community is staggering. The AHA reports that in cities, such as Seattle and Washington, where CPR training is widespread, the survival rate for witnessed cardiac arrest is about 30 percent. In cities, such as New York City, where few victims receive bystander CPR, survival from sudden cardiac arrest averages only 1-2 percent.

It is estimated that nearly 325,000 American die of cardiac arrest every year and never make it to a hospital.

Proper training takes a course, which the American Heart Association evaluates and adjusts every few years. However, saving a life can be much easier than you think.

The AHA has introduced a simple life-saving technique called hands-only CPR, which can mean the difference between life or death for many victims of a heart attack.

Barbara Willis, cardiovascular service line director of Huguley Memorial, said many people have not received proper basic life support training or feel uncomfortable with the idea of using it.

“Some people are just uncomfortable with the idea of performing mouth-to-mouth on somebody,” she said. “Proper training is best, but with hands-only CPR, it is the typical case of something is better than nothing. It is especially good for the lay people. It is not what we teach healthcare providers and people with the right training and right equipment.”

Willis explained that if a person is suffering a heart attack or has just collapsed from a heart attack, there is still oxygen in the blood. Hand-only CPR can circulate that blood until medical help arrives.

But there is one thing you should do first.

“Always call 911 first,” Willis stressed. “The first thing you should do if you witness someone in cardiac arrest is call 911 and get help on the way, then perform basic life support.”

Willis said hands-only CPR does not replace proper basic life support training, but for those that are not trained, it can give the victim a chance that he or she might not otherwise have.

Willis interlocks her fingers, one hand over the other, and kneels on the floor next to a basic life support training dummy. She leans forward and presses rapidly on the training model.

“Put your hands on the center of the chest,” she said. “Then it is hard and fast – hard and fast.”

If one wants to take a basic life support training course, there are different levels of training. Health care providers and emergency medical technicians receive the highest level with advance techniques, including use of a defibrillator. People who work in public places or are around many people may want to be trained with a less extensive course. There is even a course called “Family and Friends” which teaches simpler basic life-saving techniques.

Willis stresses it is important to know heart attack symptoms.



- Shortness of breath

- Chest discomfort

- Dizzyness

- Pain in limbs



“It’s not a sharp pain,” Willis said. “It’s like a heavy discomfort. Some of my patients said it was like something heavy on their chest. You can also have pain in your jaw, shoulder or arm.”

She is surprised how long some people who experience these symptoms will wait – an average of about two hours – before going to a hospital.

“Get in here quick,” she said. “The quicker you get here, the greater your chance for recovery. Every minute counts.”

And, if you witness someone with these symptoms, act quickly.



- Call 911 first

- Perform CPR until help arrives.



To view a short video of how to perform hands-only CPR, visit the link at www.alvaradostar.net.