Important Tips to Know when Performing CPR

In 2010, the American Heart Association released a new set of guidelines replacing it’s well known method of Airway, Breathing, Chest Compressions.    The new and improved method is now CAB, or Chest, Airway, Breathing.  Understanding the basics of CPR is clearly not enough to save lives; there are many other important steps necessary to perform a successful resuscitation.

First, you need to place your hands on the patient’s chest above the sternum.  Always remember to put your hands an inch above the xiphoid process (the bony protrusion at the end of the sternum) or for a quicker yet definite hand position, follow the nipple line.

Secondly, make sure your compressions are deep and fast enough.  Each compression should be at least 1 ½” deep and at about 90-100 compressions per minute.  A good way to determine if you’re don’t chest compression fast enough is to sing a fast paced song while performing CPR.  This will help you maintain a solid pace.  When providing chest compressions, make sure your elbows are in an angle that allows you to press firmly down on the chest.  When your elbows are at an angle your thrust power is often loss in your elbows.

Next, perform full breath mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.  Many of us are resistant to performing mouth-to-mouth for medical concerns, but you can use a shirt or other barrier that allows air to transfer to protect yourself from germs.

Last and most importantly, the first thing you should do after accessing the patient’s status is to call for emergency services to arrive on the scene. Do not forget to call for help and use existing medical equipment’s like AEDs – aside from performing CPR in the correct way, calling for help will ensure high survival rates via paramedics. AEDs should also be used prior to performing CPR as this life saving device will tell you what to do next. AEDs are also essential to deliver the right amount of electrical impulse needed for the heart to function once again.

Using these life saving tips will help you save a life of maybe someone you know.  Besides performing CPR, the next best device you can use is a Philips Onsite AED along with aed pads and aed batteries. 

Conditions That Lead to Heart Disease

The average human’s heart will beat over 100,000 between the time we are born and when we die.  The muscle contracts and beats subconsciously and it something most of us don’t’ take into considering during our normal life.  However, many people are walking around with heart disease that can lead to eventual death.  There are many conditions that can contribute to heart disease.  We’ll explore some of those potential causes.

1.    Diabetes

2.    High Blood Pressure

3.    Metabolism

4.    Blood Pumping Disorder

First, people with diabetes generally have other contributing factors like high blood pressure, high triglycerides, and high cholesterol.  Often these conditions are a result of either diet or genetics.  People with diabetes have cells store fat and collect lipids.  The lipids harden into arterial plaque which blocks the normal flow of blood pumping through the arteries.

Secondly, high blood pressure is often associated with heart disease.  Hypertension also is prominent is certain races more than others.  This is an example of where genetics is more of a result than diet. Since the presence of hypertension is difficult to detect by doctors, it's often considered the silent killer of adults.

Another issue doctors have discovered in your metabolism.  Doctors have named this “Metabolic Syndrome” which affects over 50 million Americans.  Metabolism Syndrome typically includes the following conditions:

• Tryglycerides level above 150
• Blood Pressure of 130/85 or more
• Blood Sugar of 100 or more
• Patient's weight

Lastly, blood flow to the heart can become irregular and is often associated with congestive heart failure.  This condition occurs any time when the heart does not receive oxygenated blood.  This can be brought on by an arrhythmia in the arterial or ventricle parts of the heart.

These are just a few of the conditions that contribute to heart disease.  Heart disease and sudden cardiac arrest should not be taken lightly.  Those with a family history or heart disease should see a doctor and have their cholesterol tested.  However, sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone even with perfect cholesterol or family history.  That’s why it’s a good idea to keep a portable defibrillator and make sure your FR2 AED Infant Child pads model number M3870A are ready and have not expired.