Sudden cardiac arrest is the sudden, unexpected loss of
heart function, breathing and consciousness. Sudden cardiac arrest usually
results from an electrical disturbance in your heart that disrupts its pumping
action, stopping blood flow to the rest of your body.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest is the number one killer in the United
States.
Sudden cardiac arrest is different from a heart attack,
which occurs when blood flow to a portion of the heart is blocked. However, a
heart attack can sometimes trigger an electrical disturbance that leads to
sudden cardiac arrest.
Sudden cardiac arrest is a medical emergency. If not treated
immediately, it causes sudden cardiac death. With fast, appropriate medical
care, survival is possible. Administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) —
or even just rapid compressions to the chest — can improve the chances of
survival until emergency personnel arrive.
Fatalities associated with sudden cardiac arrest (SCA)
affect 1 in 1,000 and can affect any age group.
Based on population, Livingston County could have approximately 15
fatalities per year due to SCA, 95 percent SCA incidents are fatal.
Sudden cardiac arrest symptoms are sudden and drastic:
·
Sudden collapse
·
No pulse
·
No breathing
·
Loss of consciousness
Sometimes, other signs and symptoms precede sudden cardiac
arrest. These may include fatigue, fainting, blackouts, dizziness, chest pain,
shortness of breath, weakness, palpitations or vomiting. But sudden cardiac
arrest often occurs with no warning.
When to see a doctor
If you have frequent episodes of chest pain or discomfort,
heart palpitations, irregular or rapid heartbeats, unexplained wheezing or
shortness of breath, fainting or near fainting, or you're feeling lightheaded
or dizzy, see your doctor promptly. If these symptoms are ongoing, you should
call 911 or emergency medical help.
When the heart stops, the lack of oxygenated blood can cause
brain damage in only a few minutes. Death or permanent brain damage can occur
within four to six minutes. Time is critical when you're helping an unconscious
person who isn't breathing.
Take immediate action:
·
Call 911, or the emergency number in your area,
if you encounter someone who has collapsed or is found unresponsive. If the
unconscious person is a child and you're alone, administer CPR, or chest
compressions only, for two minutes before calling 911 or emergency medical help
or before using a portable defibrillator.
·
Perform CPR. Quickly check the unconscious
person's breathing. If he or she isn't breathing normally, begin CPR. Push hard
and fast on the person's chest — about 100 compressions a minute. If you've
been trained in CPR, check the person's airway and deliver rescue breaths after
every 30 compressions. If you haven't been trained, just continue chest
compressions. Allow the chest to rise completely between compressions. Keep
doing this until a portable defibrillator is available or emergency personnel
arrive.
·
Use a portable defibrillator, if one is
available. If you're not trained to use a portable defibrillator, a 911 or
emergency medical help operator may be able to guide you in its use. Deliver
one shock if advised by the device, and then immediately begin CPR starting
with chest compressions, or give chest compressions only, for about two
minutes. Using the defibrillator, check the person's heart rhythm. If
necessary, the defibrillator will administer a shock. Repeat this cycle until
the person recovers consciousness or emergency personnel take over.
Portable automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are
available in an increasing number of places, including local churches, schools
and some businesses. You can also purchase them for your home. AEDs come with
built-in instructions for their use. They're programmed to allow a shock only
when appropriate.
Grand River Heart Restart (GRHR) is a group of concerned
citizens and medical professionals from the Chillicothe area that are united in
the mission of “Reducing the fatal incidence of sudden cardiac arrest through
increased awareness, training and strategic placement of automated external
defibrillators.” The group is a member of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association
and is affiliated with Take Heart America.
The group is currently working to get more AEDs placed in
the community, as well as offer a maintenance program called AED Concierge at a
reduced cost through the company AED Authority. AED Concierge provides
liability protection, medical oversight and direction through Saint Luke’s, a
report to the patient’s physician, a loaner device overnight if the AED is used
and replaces pads and battery for the machine.
For more information, contact Fire Chief Darrell Wright or Jennifer
Dixon, RN at Hedrick Medical Center.
If you would like to be a part of this group or donate time
or dollars to their efforts, call the health center at 646-5506 and ask to
speak to Ann or Sherry, or get in touch with one of the other key organizers.
Source: Mayo Clinic and Grand River Heart Restart
