Causes, Risks, Symptoms and Treatment for Ventricular Fibrillation

Ventricular Fibrillation (V-fib) is one of the most dangerous types of arrhythmias which affects the heart’s ventricles. An arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat that starts in the ventricle is called ventricular fibrillation which occurs when the electrical signals that tell your heart muscle to pump cause your ventricles to quiver (fibrillate) instead which means your blood is not pumping blood out to your body. V-fib may happen several times a day in some people. Sustained V-fib requires immediate medical attention as it can lead to cardiac arrest and death.

Causes- V-fib can occur during certain medical conditions although the cause is not always known. It most commonly occurs during an acute heart attack or shortly thereafter. Heart muscle can become electrically unstable when it does not get enough blood flow thus causing dangerous rhythms. A ticker damaged by a heart attack or other heart muscle damage is susceptible to V-fib. Some of the other causes include electrolyte abnormalities like low potassium, certain medicines, and certain genetic diseases that affect the ticker's ion channels or electrical conduction.

The most common risk factors are prior heart attack, a weakened heart muscle (cardiomyopathy), genetic diseases like Long or Short QT syndrome, Brugada disease, or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, certain medicines that affect function of ticker, electrolyte abnormalities. The symptoms include near fainting or transient dizziness, acute shortness of breath, fainting and cardiac arrest.

A cardiac arrest victim would require immediate treatment for survival. The most appropriate treatment for handling out-of-hospital cardiac emergencies efficiently is proper application of the CPR procedure and defibrillator use. The CPR procedure comprise chest compressions and rescue breaths. Defibrillation use is taught in the CPR classes itself. For training, choose a certified training site such as the acclaimed CPR Nashville in Tennessee. Both theoretical and practical training are imparted to the students. Become certified at the end of the training classes.

V-fib Diagnosis:

A healthcare provider considers an individual’s vital signs like blood pressure and pulse, assesses one’s overall health and medical history, conducts a physical exam, consider tests of heart function, such as an electrocardiogram and a description of symptoms that an individual has to diagnose ventricular fibrillation.

Treating V-fib:

When it comes to treating V-fib, there are two stages where first tries to stop your V-fib immediately to restore a blood pressure and pulse whereas the main focus of the second stage is on reducing your chances of developing V-fib in the future.

CPR- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be the first response to V-fib that’ll keep your blood moving.

Defibrillation- This is required during or immediately after the ventricular fibrillation that involves application of an electric shock through an Automated External Defibrillator device that can correct the signals that are telling your heart muscles to quiver instead of pump.

Medication- Drugs may be given by your healthcare provider to help you control and prevent another episode. Additional medications may also be prescribed to control arrhythmia and reduce your risk over time.

Catheter Ablation- The main objective of this rarely used procedure for ventricular fibrillation is to eliminate electrical triggers of V-fib.

Join a CPR program today and gain the benefits. For more information or to register for a class, contact CPR Nashville on 615-397-9316.

Tips to Getting Motivated to Exercise for your Heart and AHA CPR Classes in Nashville

There are days when people have trouble getting motivated to exercise even when one is aware it’s smart for the heart. It can be mentally tough to keep moving especially during the first three or four months of a new exercise program which can be attributed to the fact that you’re still shaping the exercise habit. It becomes easier to stick with it when you begin to see results that benefit your ticker that includes loss of weight around the waist and a feeling of strength. It develops the confidence and so develops the motivation and interest to keep moving.

Cardiovascular disease increases the risk of occurrence of life-threatening cardiac emergencies like a cardiac arrest or heart attack. A victim would require immediate treatment for survival. The most appropriate form of treatment is proper application of the life-saving CPR procedure that combines chest compressions and rescue breaths. Make sure to select a certified training center for acquiring training such as the AHA certified CPR Nashville in Tennessee. Become certified at the end of an American Heart Association CPR class Nashville. There are courses for both healthcare and non-healthcare providers.

Tips to Staying Motivated:

1.      Every individual has a different reason for wanting to exercise that often goes beyond the usual goals of “losing weight” or “lowering blood pressure”. It is advisable that you envision your specific long-term reason for exercising and what it can do for you. Just note it down on a sticky note or index card which you can post on your washroom mirror, atop your gym shoes or anywhere else where you can readily see it. You can also create a regular reminder for your mobile and laptop as well.

2.      Motivation, for some people lies in knowing that exercise ameliorates key heart-health numbers. Track and record your blood pressure, weight or waist circumference to stay inspired to keep moving.

3.      Some people are motivated by a challenge, if you are one of them consider setting goals that you can use to compete against yourself or another person. For instance, getting a fitness tracker device and working up to a goal of 10000 steps a day is a great self-challenge.

4.      Motivation to exercise for some people is higher when sports are involved, as opposed to just working out alone. In this regard, you can look out for an intramural or recreation league like basketball, soccer, etc. in your community.

5.      Something about the setup may be getting in your way if it’s really difficult to get motivated to exercise. Perhaps you would have a better track record if you were to start getting into your gym clothes and working out first thing in the morning prior to any distractions hitting you. You can also purchase some hand weights or resistance bands for your home or can choose an activity that doesn’t necessitate special equipment if it’s tough for you to get to the gym to use weight machines.

Contribute towards the safety of cardiac arrest victims in out-of-hospital cases by signing up for a CPR course today. For more information, contact CPR Nashville on 615-397-9316.

Exercises that Strengthens the Heart and AHA Nashville CPR Classes

Being physically active ensures good heart health and is one of the most effective tools for strengthening heart muscle, keeping weight under control and warding off artery damage from high blood sugar, high cholesterol and high blood pressure that can lead to a heart attack (myocardial infarction) and stroke. Although physical activity is a major step towards good heart health, different types of exercise are needed to provide complete fitness. Aerobic exercise and resistance training are the most important for the health of your ticker. When talking about flexibility, although it doesn’t contribute directly to ticker health but it provides a good foundation for performing aerobic and strength exercises more effectively.

The best way to deal with out-of-hospital cardiac emergencies (heart attack or cardiac arrest) is by joining an American Heart Association CPR class Nashville at an accredited training site. If you belong to the Nashville region in TN, don’t look beyond the AHA certified CPR Nashville where certified instructors conduct the classes through a series of audio and video lectures and hands-on practice.

Exercises that boosts heart health:

Aerobic Exercise- This kind of exercise includes brisk walking, running, swimming, cycling, playing tennis and jumping rope. Heart-pumping aerobic exercise is the kind that healthcare providers have in mind when they recommend at least 150 minutes per week of moderate activity. It improves circulation which results in lowered blood pressure and heart rate. It helps your cardiac output (how well your ticker pumps). People with diabetes should consider this exercise as it helps to control blood glucose.

Resistance Training- The training involves working out with free weights like hand weights, dumbbells or barbells, on weight machines, with resistance bands or through body-resistance exercises, such as push-ups, squats and chin-ups. The training has a more specific effect on body composition. People who carry a lot of body fat should consider this as it can help reduce fat and create leaner muscle mass. According to research, a combination of aerobic exercise and resistance training helps raise HDL (good) cholesterol and lower LDL (bad) cholesterol.

Flexibility, stretching- Doctors tend to recommend basic stretches that one can do at home and Tai chi and yoga can improve these skills. Stretching is an important part of flexibility workout that doesn’t directly contribute to ticker health but benefits musculoskeletal health, which enables you to stay flexible and free from joint pain, cramping and other muscular issues. Remember, flexibility is a critical part of being able to maintain aerobic exercise and resistance training. Additionally, flexibility and balance exercises help maintain stability and prevent falls which can cause injuries that can act as a barrier for other kinds of exercise. This should be performed every day and before and after other exercise.

For more information or to join a CPR course in Nashville, contact CPR Nashville on 615-397-9316.