Being Prepared for a Cardiac Emergency

 

Preparedness During a Cardiac Emergency Can Save a Life

The CDC reports the number one cause of death in America is due to cardiovascular disease, killing 696,962 Americans in 2020 (Leading cause of death, 2022).   Heart attacks are caused by interruptions of blood supply to the heart, making it starved of oxygen.  Common symptoms are pressure in the center of the chest, pain in the shoulder, neck, and arms, fainting, sweating, and nausea.  The average person waits at least three hours before seeking help for these symptoms (Heart attack first aid, 2022).  Being trained and prepared for a cardiac type of emergency, especially if someone has pre-existing heart conditions, can help to save their life.

The national average wait time for an ambulance to arrive is about 12 minutes.  There are usually people around during a cardiac emergency, however many individuals have not been trained or have forgotten how to perform CPR.  The Institute of Medicine says less than 3% of Americans receive training each year.  I learned during research that the new CPR standard is now hands-only (CPR and AEDs, 2022).  There are many programs available that can train people on appropriate procedures for CPR, along with teaching about AEDs.  In a case of a cardiac emergency, it is important to stay calm, have the individual sit down, try to relax and breathe, loosen tight clothing, ask if they take any medications or have any health conditions, and call for help.

An AED, or automated external defibrillator is designed for by-standers to use, even without training.  They can detect two different cardiac arrhythmias (ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia) and will provide a shock to the heart to restore normal electricity to the heart to beat again.  Public Access Defibrillation is an initiative in many communities to provide portable AEDs in public areas like schools, offices, malls and parks (The what, when, where, why, and how of AED, 2022).  These machines have improved the chances of survival for individuals compared to CPR alone.  

Being ready in case of a medical emergency is important, especially with conditions concerning the heart.  Goodrich (2018) recommends having medications like epinephrine, albuterol, nitroglycerin, aspirin, oral glucose, diphenhydramine, and naloxone, which if administered in time they can help save lives.  I am studying to be a substance abuse counselor, and the increase of opioid overdose deaths is concerning.  Opioid use disorder affects nearly 2 million Americans and are causing cardiac arrest to individuals at younger ages (Opioid-induced cardiac arrest are focus of new report, 2021).  The use of naloxone can reverse the effects of an overdose within minutes.  SAMHSA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides training and can supply individuals with this life-saving medication (Naloxone, 2022).

References

CPR and AEDs. (2022). Eric Paredes Save a Life Foundation. https://epsavealife.org/what-is-sca/cpr-and-aeds/

Goodrich, L (2018, December).  Prepare your medical office to respond to a cardiac medical emergency. Health First. https://www.healthfirst.com/blog/respond-to-a-cardiac-medical-emergency/

Heart attack first aid. (2022). Mount Sinai.  https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/injury/heart-attack-first-aid

Leading cause of death. (2022, January 13). CDC.  https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/leading-causes-of-death.htm

Naloxone. (2022, April 21). SAMHSA.  https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment/medications-counseling-related-conditions/naloxone

Opioid-induced cardiac arrests are focus of new report. (2021, March 8). American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/news/2021/03/08/opioid-induced-cardiac-arrests-are-focus-of-new-report

The what, when, where, why, and how of AED. (2022). Avive.  https://avive.life/guides/what-is-an-aed/