Significance of AED for a Cardiac Arrest Victim and AHA CPR Classes in Nashville

If you have severe cardiovascular disease, you are at risk of a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). In cardiac arrest, the heart abruptly stops beating which can result in the person’s death without prompt intervention. The main symptoms are unresponsiveness and loss of consciousness. This is a life-threatening medical emergency that needs immediate CPR or use of a defibrillator. The immediate cause of most SCAs is an abnormal heart rhythm (ventricular fibrillation). The ticker’s electrical activity becomes chaotic, and it’s not able to pump blood to the rest of the body.

CPR is a life-saving technique that comprise chest compressions and rescue breaths that can keep oxygenated blood flowing to the brain and other vital organs until more definitive medical treatment can restore a normal heart rhythm. AEDs or Automated External Defibrillators resuscitate you only if you have a specific type of heart rhythm problem like ventricular fibrillation.

For an American HeartAssociation CPR class Nashville, sign up at the AHA certified CPR Nashville. Training in AED is imparted in the CPR classes.

Significance of AEDs:

1.      AEDs are used to revive someone from SCA which usually occurs with a disruption in the ticker's electrical activity that causes the heart to beat dangerously fast (ventricular tachycardia) or irregularly (ventricular fibrillation) and your heart is not able to pump effectively. The abnormal heart rhythm stops blood flow to your brain and other vital organs, usually resulting in death or permanent damage to your brain and other organs if not treated within minutes. So, the sooner your ticker’s rhythm is restored the better.

2.      If the abnormal rhythm is ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia and an AED is nearby, a bystander in a public place or a family member at home can attach the self-sticking pads to the victim’s chest. The device then reads the rhythm and sends an electrical current to the ticker if an electric shock can correct the rhythm. The jolt can restore your ticker to a normal rhythm and possibly save your life if used within minutes.

3.      CPR after cardiac arrest can keep oxygen-rich blood flowing to the ticker and brain for a time. Along with defibrillation, together they improve a victim’s chances of survival.

Using an AED Device:

The device is very easy to use although training is imparted in the CPR classes itself provided you choose a certified training center.

1.      Prior to using AED on a victim, call 911 to get help on the way. Then perform CPR before turning on the device and start resuscitation again after delivering the shock if resuscitation is needed.

2.      The AEDs also provide step-by-step voice instructions which lucidly explains how to check for breathing and a pulse and how to position electrode pads on the victim’s chest.

3.      After the pads are in place, the device measures the victim’s heart rhythm and determines if a shock is needed. The device is programmed to not deliver a shock if it isn’t needed.

Most public places have this device. You can also purchase a home AED which can save precious minutes in reviving a person with ventricular fibrillation.

Join a CPR course at CPR Nashville and gain the benefits. For more information, call on 615-397-9316.