The most
life-threatening of all cardiac emergencies are cardiac arrests and heart
attacks. A victim involved in such an emergency would require immediate
treatment for survival with the most appropriate treatment being proper
application of the life-saving Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation procedures.
The
procedures comprise chest compressions and rescue breaths. Proper application
can restore the life of a victim. For a CPR class Tampa, sign up in an accredited training center such as the AHA
certified CPR Tampa in Florida. Certified instructors conduct the classes
through a series of audio and video lectures and hands-on practice. Go through
the course curriculum prior to signing up for a program as there are courses
for both healthcare and non-healthcare providers.
People often
think that a heart attack is the same thing as a cardiac arrest which however,
is not true.
Heart Attack or Myocardial Infarction- The heart is a muscle, and like all
muscles it requires an oxygen-rich blood supply which is provided to the organ
by coronary arteries. An MI occurs when there is a blockage of the coronary
arteries which is often caused by a blood clot. Such a blockage, if not quickly
resolved, can cause parts of heart muscle to begin to die.
Symptoms of MI:
1. Chest pain – this is often a feeling
of tightness in the center of the chest which may last for several minutes and
will not decrease upon resting (although this is the most common symptom, not
all patients having will experience chest pain)
2. Spreading of chest pain to other
areas, most commonly to the arms, jaw, neck, back and abdomen
3. Shortness of breath
4. Coughing
5. Wheezing
6. Feeling or being sick
7. Anxiety
8. Light-headedness or dizziness
9. Sweating
10. Weakness
11. Palpitations
Cardiac Arrest- In a cardiac arrest, the ticker
actually stops beating in comparison to an MI when the organ normally continues
to beat even though the blood supply to the organ is disrupted.
Symptoms:
1. Sudden loss of
consciousness/responsiveness
2. No breathing
3. No pulse
Some of the
warning signs of cardiac arrest are:
1. Chest pain
2. Shortness of breath
3. Weakness
4. Dizziness
5. Palpitations
6. Nausea
Causes:
1. Ventricular fibrillation – an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) where the lower
chambers of the organ (the ventricles) beat irregularly. This is the most
common cause behind the occurrence of SCA.
2. Ventricular tachycardia
3. Coronary heart disease
4. Changes in the ticker structure
5. Pacemaker failure
6. Respiratory arrest
7. Choking
8. Drowning
9. Electrocution
10. Hypothermia
11. Dramatic drop in blood pressure
12. Drug abuse
13. Excessive alcohol consumption
14. An unknown reason
SCA can also
be caused by a heart attack. An MI itself involves a cut off in the blood supply
to part of the cardiac muscle. If a large enough portion of the organ is
affected, then the organ may stop beating leading to the occurrence of a
cardiac arrest.
MI is
generally caused by one main factor- Coronary Heart Disease that is generally caused by buildup of
fatty deposits in the coronary arteries, which provide oxygenated blood to the
organ. This is also
known as atherosclerosis. CHD risk is higher for
1. Smokers
2. Those who eat an unhealthy diet – one
that is high in saturated fat
3. Those with high blood pressure
4. Those with diabetes
5. Overweight or obese people
6. People who do not exercise frequently
7. Older people, in particularly older
men
8. Those with a family history of CHD
9. People who have been exposed to air
pollution, particularly traffic pollution
Contribute towards the safety of victims in
out-of-hospitals emergencies by getting CPR certified. At CPR Tampa, you can
either register for a course online or call on 727-240-9404.
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