American Heart Association Heartsaver Adult, Child and Infant CPR/AED

Who Should Know CPR? Many people — like you — may want to learn how to do CPR just in case they need to use it someday. You can never tell when a medical emergency will happen and it feels good to know that you could help save a life!!!

LIFE IS WHY!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSLvlsV3JyQ

What Is CPR? Cardio means "of the heart" and pulmonary means "of the lungs." Resuscitation is a medical word that means "to revive" — or bring back to life. Sometimes CPR can help a person who has stopped breathing, and whose heart may have stopped beating, to stay alive.

What is a Heart Attack? Also known as Myocardial Infarction Death of or damage to part of the heart muscle due to an insufficient blood supply. Heart attacks occur when one of the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle is blocked. Blockage is usually caused from a buildup of plaque (deposits of fat-like substances) due to atherosclerosis. If a plaque deposit tears or ruptures, a blood clot may form and block the artery, causing a heart attack.

The Normal Heart The normal heart is a pump made of muscle tissue. It's about the size of your fist. The heart has four chambers. The two upper ones are the atria, and the lower two are the ventricles. (See diagram.) Four heart valves open and close to keep the blood flowing in one direction as it's pumped through the heart. Each valve has a set of "flaps" (also called leaflets or cusps).

How the Heart Works! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHMmtqK gs50

Heart Attack Warning Signs Some heart attacks are sudden and intense. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening: Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest, it can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.    Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.    Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.   Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness        Minutes matter! Fast action can save lives — maybe your own…

What Are the Effects of a Stroke? What is a Stroke? Stroke is a type of cardiovascular disease. It affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood (and oxygen) it needs, so it starts to die. What Are the Effects of a Stroke? The brain is an extremely complex organ that controls various body functions. If a stroke occurs and blood flow can't reach the region that controls a particular body function, that part of the body won't work as it should.

To Detect a Stroke…use FAST Face Drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person's smile uneven? Arm Weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? Speech Difficulty – Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like "The sky is blue." Is the sentence repeated correctly? Time to call 9-1-1 – If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get the person to the hospital immediately. Check the time so you'll know when the first symptoms appeared.

Someone can stop breathing and/or have cardiac arrest from: heart attacks strokes - when the blood flow to a part of the brain suddenly stops choking on something that blocks the entire airway near-drowning incidents (when someone is under water for too long and stops breathing) a very bad neck, head, or back injury severe electrical shocks (like from touching a power line) being very sick from a serious infection too much bleeding severe allergic reactions

Cardiac arrest strikes Immediately and without warning. Cardiac arrest is the sudden, abrupt loss of heart function. Here are the signs: Sudden loss of responsiveness (no response to tapping on shoulders). No normal breathing If these signs of cardiac arrest are present, tell someone to call 9-1-1 and get an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) if one is available and you begin CPR immediately.  

What is an AED? AED stands for Automated External Defibrillator. It is used to shock the heart back to normal rhythm. It is very easy to use…

Heart Attack, Stroke and Heart Disease ABCs of Preventing Heart Attack, Stroke and Heart Disease

CPR Saves Lives - Statistics About 92% of sudden cardiac arrest victims die before reaching the hospital, but statistics prove that if more people knew CPR, more lives could be saved. About 75 – 80% of all out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen at home, so being rained in CPR can mean the difference between life and death of a loved one. Immediate CPR can double or even triple, a victim’s chance of survival.

More Statistics Death from sudden cardiac arrest is not inevitable. If more people new CPR, more lives could be saved. Brain death starts to occur four to six minutes after someone experiences cardiac arrest if no CPR and defibrillation occurs in that time. Approximately 335,000 of all annual adult coronary heart disease deaths in the U.S. are due to sudden cardiac arrest. About 900 Americans die every day due to sudden cardiac arrest.

More Statistics… Coronary heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States. Stroke is the No. 3 cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of serious disability. That's why it's so important to reduce your risk factors, know the warning signs, and know how to respond quickly and properly if warning signs occur.

Good Samaritan Act Remember to act quickly. You don’t need to be afraid of being sued by trying to help someone Good Samaritan Act states that you are acting in good faith trying to save someone’s life regardless of the outcome.

Why should YOU learn CPR?