Correct Way to Perform CPR on a Cardiac Arrest Victim

A cardiac arrest is a life-threatening emergency, it’s crucial to call 911 and start CPR with immediate effect. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is an emergency lifesaving procedure performed when the ticker stops beating. Immediate administration of the CPR procedure can double or triple chances of survival after cardiac arrest. Significance of the procedure lies in the fact that it keeps the blood flow active (even partially) that extends the chance for a successful resuscitation once emergency medical service arrive on site.

CPR is a crucial step in the AHA’s chain of survival with the five links in the AHA’s chain of survival being

1.      Cardiac arrest recognition and emergency response system activation (calling 911).

2.      Prompt CPR application with emphasis on chest compressions.

3.      Rapid defibrillation

4.      Basic and advanced emergency medical services.

5.      Advanced life support and post cardiac arrest care.

Strong Chain of Survival improves chances of survival and recovery for victims of cardiac arrest.

For an American HeartAssociation CPR class Nashville, you can sign up at the AHA certified CPR Nashville. Both theoretical and practical training are imparted to the students. There are courses for both healthcare and non-healthcare providers.

Follow these steps to learn how to perform CPR:

Shake and Shout to Check Responsiveness- Do check for danger and look for risks before you start helping when you come across someone who’s unconscious. Check for the responsiveness of the victim by gently shaking the victim’s shoulders and ask loudly whether he/she is alright. If someone is close by, ask them to stay. On the other hand, if you are all by yourself with the victim, attract attention by shouting loudly but don’t leave the person.

Check for Breathing- A person involved in a cardiac arrest won’t be breathing, or won’t be breathing normally, they also will be unconscious. Check if the victim on your hand is breathing normally which can be done by checking for regular chest movements, listening for breathing and feeling for breath on your cheek. Do not mistake gasps for normal breathing. If you aren’t sure if their breathing is normal, take it as not normal. Put the victim in the recovery position and call 911 if the person is breathing normally. Open their airway if breathing isn’t normal. Open the airway by placing one hand on the person’s forehead, gently tilting their head back, then lifting their chin using two fingers of your other hand under their chin.

Call 911- Ask someone to call 911 immediately and ask for an ambulance or ask someone for a public access defibrillator (PAD) if the person isn’t breathing or breathing normally. If there’s no one to help, call 911 prior to starting CPR. Start with 30 chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 chest compressions per minute – that’s around 2 per second. Give two rescue breaths which should take no longer than five seconds. Check for the rise and fall of the person’s chest while performing breaths.

Carry on until Ambulance Arrives- Repeat 30 compressions and two rescue breaths. If you’d rather not give rescue breaths, call 911 and deliver hands-only CPR. It’s better than doing nothing. Carry on until professional help arrives and takes over, or the person starts to show signs of regaining consciousness, such as coughing, opening their eyes, speaking, or breathing normally.

At CPR Nashville, either register for a course online or call on 615-397-9316 for registration.

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.

Diagnostic Tests for Cardiomyopathy and AHA CPR Classes in Nashville, TN

Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle that makes it harder for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body. Cardiomyopathy can lead to heart failure. The main types of cardiomyopathy include dilated, hypertrophic and restrictive cardiomyopathy. Treatments range from medications, surgically implanted devices to a heart transplant in severe cases which depends on which type of cardiomyopathy one has and how serious it is.

The best way to handle cardiac emergencies in out-of-hospital cases is by going for an American Heart Association CPR ClassNashville in Tennessee. You can sign up for a program at the AHA accredited CPR Nashville. Certified instructors conduct the classes through a series of audio and video lectures and hands-on practice. At the end of the classes, a student becomes eligible for a certification after successfully passing a skills test and written exam. 

Diagnostic Tests:

A healthcare provider may recommend one of the following diagnostic tests:

Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG): An EKG records the heart’s electrical activity, which shows how fast the heart is beating and whether its rhythm is steady or irregular. An EKG can be used to detect cardiomyopathy as well as other problems like heart attacks, arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) and heart failure. 

Chest X-ray- A chest X-ray takes pictures of the organs and structures inside the chest, and also shows whether the heart is enlarged. 

Echocardiogram (Echo)- An echocardiogram (echo) is a test that uses sound waves to create a moving picture of the heart which shows the size and shape of the heart as well as how well or not well the heart is working. There are several types of echocardiography which include “stress echo” with another type being “transesophageal echo (or TEE)” that provides a view of the back of the heart.

Holter and event monitors- Both these devices record the heart’s electrical activity during the normal day-to-day activities. While a Holter monitor records the heart’s electrical activity for a full 24- or 48-hour period, an event monitor records the heart’s electrical activity only at certain times.

Stress Test- Stress tests may include nuclear heart scanning, echo, and positron emission tomography (PET) scanning. The main objective is to make the heart work hard (and beat fast) while tests are performed.

Some of the diagnostic procedures involves:

1.      Myocardial biopsy- This procedure involves the doctor removing a piece of the heart muscle, which can be done during cardiac catheterization which is then studied under a microscope to see whether changes in cells have occurred, that may indicate cardiomyopathy.

2.      Cardiac catheterization- This procedure helps in checking the pressure and blood flow in the heart’s chambers.

3.      Genetic Testing- Genetic testing can show how Cardiomyopathy runs in families and can reveal the chances of parents passing the genes for the disease on to their children. A healthcare provider may suggest this procedure to look for signs of the disease in your parents, brothers and sisters or other family members.

Contribute towards the safety of cardiac arrest victims by joining a CPR program today. You can either register for a course online at CPR Nashville or call on 615-397-9316.

Cut your Cholesterol ASAP to Keep Heart Disease at Bay in Nashville, TN

Heart disease has been claiming a lot of lives lately which can be attributed to the fact that heart disease increases the chances for someone to get a cardiac arrest or heart attack. The two biggest risk factors include high blood pressure and high cholesterol. The best way to deal with such life-threatening cardiac emergencies is by undergoing CPR training Nashville. The Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation techniques comprise of chest compressions and rescue breaths and administering the techniques properly can restore the life of a victim involved in a cardiac emergency. 

Always undergo training in an accredited training center such as the AHA accredited CPR Nashville in Tennessee which comprises of some of the most experienced CPR instructors. The courses for the healthcare providers include Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support. The courses for the general public include “HeartSaver CPR” and “HeartSaver First Aid”. Always go through the course curriculum prior to signing up for a program in order to enroll for the most appropriate program for yourself. 

Like we have already said heart disease is the biggest risk factor that leads to cardiac emergencies. In order to keep heart disease at bay, what is required is keeping the high blood pressure and cholesterol levels in check. 

We are listing a few tips on how you can cut down your cholesterol:

Avoid Saturated Fat- Cutting back on saturated fat is the best way to curb LDL cholesterol and protect your heart. According to the American Heart Association, only 5 percent to 6 percent of your total calories should come from saturated fat which is about 11 to 13 grams. What you can do is you should check your food labels for how much saturated fat is in the serving. 

Pound the Pavement- Like we all know that most people lead a sedentary lifestyle these days which all the more increases their chances of getting heart disease. So, include some form of exercise in your daily routine which can range from swimming, cycling to just a mere walking for a few minutes everyday. 

Healthy Diet- You should add more vegetables, whole grain, or fruit on your plate, even if you decide to keep meet in your diet because you will get fiber and nutrients which will make you feel fuller, faster. The soluble kind of fiber is especially good for pushing down LDL. You'll get plenty in oatmeal and oat bran, beans, Brussels sprouts, and oranges. Women should aim for at least 25 grams of fiber each day, and men should shoot for 38 grams. As per a study, people with high cholesterol who tried it for 6 months saw their LDL drop by about 13%. 

Make sure to also add more plant foods to your plate. If you do keep some animal protein, eat fatty fish -- such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, and sardines -- a couple of times a week which will help you in getting omega-3 fatty acids that raise HDL cholesterol (the "good" kind).

Strength Training- Your aim should be to do it 2 to 3 days a week. You can do classic moves like lunges, pushups, and squats that use your body weight for resistance. Or you can use handheld weights. If you’re a beginner, start with light ones and do two to three sets of 10-14 reps each.

So, undergo a CPR training Nashville and contribute towards the safety of cardiac arrest or heart attack victims. You can either sign up for a program at CPR Nashville online or call on 615-397-9316 for registration.

Embark On A Journey In Saving Lives Of People By Getting Trained In The CPR Techniques In Nashville

 CPR or cardiopulmonary resuscitation is a very important and significant life-saving skill these days which everyone should be aware in order for dealing with emergency situations head-on and overcoming them confidently. Administration of the techniques on victims during emergency situations can mean a matter of life or death for them. But only the correct and accurate application of the techniques can stabilize a victim, incorrect application will not do. So for gaining the adequate knowledge in the life-saving skill and their proper application you should train under expert instructors who are AHA certified. So it will be beneficial if you sign up for the classes in AHA certified institutes. The CPR training will entail the following learning lessons for you:

CPR course not only theoretical classes but also the practical classes will be provided to you whereby at the end of the classes you would be able to apply your learnt skills on a manikin and your instructors will assess how nicely or not nicely you are performing them based on which they will take further steps. The practical training will be highly beneficial for you as it will prepare you in dealing with a real life situation as effectively as possible. In an AHA certified institute the fees would be reasonable as well so you can be tension-free in terms of this. At the end of the course you would receive your AHA provider card with a validity of two years which you should renew just at the run up to the end of the second year.

You would get to learn the proper method of resuscitating a patient which includes administration of chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth rescue breathings which are the two very important methods in CPR. This training will instill a certain amount of confidence in you which will help you in handling an emergency situation effectively. When faced with an emergency situation people often lose their calm and start panicking but the CPR training Nashville will keep your nerves intact enabling you in dealing with a situation with confidence. In the

The proper method in the application of the CPR techniques will be taught to you during the CPR training. So if you come across someone who is laying unconscious or unresponsive in front of you then first you should try and bring the victim back into consciousness by rubbing your hands or knuckles against the victim's chest. Then check whether the victim is breathing or not, if he or she is not breathing properly you can go on with the chest compressions and the rescue breaths, the procedures of which will be taught to you in the training classes. So administration of the CPR techniques can do a world of a difference to a victim's life so without further ado train yourself in the indispensable CPR techniques which invariably will increase the chances of survival among victims struck with airway or cardiac emergencies.  

Importance of Learning PALS in Nashville

Children are the most vulnerable to all diseases and physical disabilities. Because they are yet to be strong both in body and mind, a little difficulty pains them a lot. As parents, there come many a problems in which children are seen badly affected. In case parents are aware about human physiology of children and have certain knowledge about first aid techniques to help them in any emergency health issue, the benefit is long lasting for a family as well as the society.

Heart diseases are no more killing adults only. Many children are found to suffer from either congenital or genetic heart diseases each year and the number is increasing too. Apart from cardiac ailments, there are numerous instances of choking while swallowing food or drinking water and cases of drowning. Respiratory troubles are also common among children. Situation becomes difficult to handle when they stop breathing in normal and/or their hearts stop beating.

Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is the cardiac first aid treatment which is necessary for the babies to keep them alive before any medical life support becomes available. American Heart Association (AHA) has been highly active in making people all over US aware about the necessity of undergoing CPR training course, especially for saving children’s lives. While general people, especially parents in Nashville can learn basic CPR techniques from AHA authorized training centers, medical practitioners can learn it in a much better way.

The Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) training is provided to pediatric doctors who can practice with more efficiency than their present status during any emergency to save a child’s life by performing the accurate first aid technique to restore the heartbeat. Mouth to mouth breathing is also necessary to start normal breathing as soon as possible. It is very much essential for children in such a condition to provide oxygen in body and restart the heart’s rhythm so that oxygen can reach their brain cells through blood. Every action to save the baby has to be completed within 5-6 minutes of cardiac arrest due to whatever reason it may be. Otherwise, the child will eventually die because of oxygen deficiency in blood. Also, if the blood stops circulating and the condition sustains for several minutes, it will never be possible to restore the child’s life.

Pediatricians must not ignore learning PALS CPR techniques as these will make them more skillful in keeping a child alive till they can arrange medical support. Having a PALS certification has also increased the chance of getting a good job for registered pediatricians in a reputed hospital. Every doctor must feel the responsibility to become more skilled for the patients so that they can save more number of lives than earlier.  As AHA has pointed out, saving children from cardiac and respiratory emergencies is essential for the sake of the future of the nation. Any such certification has to be renewed. It is always better to go through renewal process from the same institute from where the course was first availed.