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cardiac arrest

What is the Out-of-Hospital Chain of Survival?

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When a person goes into sudden cardiac arrest outside of a health care facility, there is a specific sequence of events that, if performed fully and efficiently, can significantly improve their chances of survival and recovery. This is known as the Out-of-Hospital Chain of Survival.

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According to the American Heart Association, there are six steps in this process. Each is vitally important to a cardiac arrest patient’s survival. It’s important to understand the chain and what role you might play, should you encounter someone in sudden cardiac arrest.

The Six Steps of the Out-of-Hospital Chain of Survival

out-of-hospital chain of survival
image c/o American Heart Association
  1. Recognition of cardiac arrest, and activation of the emergency response system (calling 911)
  2. Performing CPR as quickly as possible, with an emphasis on chest compressions
  3. Defibrillation with an AED
  4. Resuscitation and advanced care performed by emergency medical responders and health care providers
  5. Additional care performed after the cardiac arrest
  6. Recovery treatment, rehabilitation or observation as needed

A Bystander’s Role in the Chain of Survival

The first three steps of the chain must often be performed by bystanders, whether or not they know the patient. If nothing else, it’s vital to understand when a sudden cardiac arrest is taking place, and to call 911.

But performing CPR as soon as possible is key to improving outcomes. According to data from 2014, almost 45 percent of people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of health care settings survived when bystander CPR was performed. And because about 70 percent of cardiac arrests take place in the home, the life you save may be that of a family member.

Ready to get started with CPR? Schedule a CPR training course today.

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR and First Aid in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota.

HeartCert CPR courses include CPR/AED/First Aid and CPR/AED, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Certified Nursing Assistant training. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available.

We are now offering virtual CPR courses and certifications, as well as safe in-person courses at our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

Include Heart Attack Prevention in Game Day Planning

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With the Superbowl fast approaching, football fans are deciding which team to root for, choosing a jersey, and – most importantly – planning snacks. One additional task you should take on before game day? Becoming aware of common heart attack symptoms and brushing up on CPR.

game day
photo credit: jeshoots accessed 2/3/21 via CC0

Why should heart attack prevention be part of game day planning? Research has found a link between major sporting events, like the Superbowl and World Cup, and an increase in heart attacks and arrhythmias. Even if you don’t have any elevated risk factors for heart disease, here are a few things you can do to protect your heart on game day.

Manage Stress

When you have an attachment to a team or an outcome and the game isn’t going the way you’d hoped, stress can ramp way up. This causes an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, potentially triggering a cardiovascular event.

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Know Your Risks

If you have any preexisting risk factors, such as obesity, smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, or high blood pressure, you may be more susceptible to a heart attack on game day. Talk to your doctor about ways to improve your heart health and minimize risk.

Focus on the Positive

Instead of focusing just on the game play and outcome of the game, try to enjoy the whole day for what it is – a fun get-together with family and friends. Laugh at the commercials, take in the halftime show, and have a memorable and low-stress day.

Whether you’re a football fan or not, hands-only CPR is a good skill to have. Check out our full offering of virtual and in-person CPR and first aid courses.

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR and First Aid in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota.

HeartCert CPR courses include CPR/AED/First Aid and CPR/AED, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Certified Nursing Assistant training. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available.

We are now offering virtual CPR courses and certifications, as well as safe in-person courses at our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

This is an updated blog post that was originally published in October 2018.

What’s the Difference Between Heart Attack and Sudden Cardiac Arrest?

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Many people associate CPR with heart attacks. However, because heart attacks usually don’t cause the heart to stop beating, CPR is not often needed following a heart attack. In contrast, a sudden cardiac arrest occurs suddenly, without warning, and stops the heart from pumping blood. This is when CPR is needed to save the patient’s life, and to preserve brain and organ function.

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What are other differences between heart attack and cardiac arrest? We turned to the American Heart Association for more information.

What is a Heart Attack?

When a blocked artery prevents oxygen-rich blood from reaching a section of the heart, that part of the heart begins to die. If the blocked artery is not reopened, damage can be severe.

Because of the gradual nature of a heart attack, symptoms often begin and build slowly, over the course of several hours, days, or even weeks. And symptoms vary, especially between men and women. It’s important to know and be able to recognize symptoms and seek medical attention as soon as possible.

sudden cardiac arrest
photo credit: @averey accessed 12/2/20 via CC0

What is a Sudden Cardiac Arrest?

Unlike the slow build of a heart attack, a sudden cardiac arrest occurs with little warning. The effects are immediate. Cardiac arrest is triggered by an irregular heartbeat (also known as arrhythmia). This disrupts the heart’s ability to pump blood throughout the body.

Without CPR performed by a bystander or medical professional, the patient will lose consciousness and die in a matter of minutes. Even if the patient survives, the lack of blood and oxygen to the brain and organs could cause permanent damage. This is why it’s vitally important for bystanders to know CPR – and be ready and willing to perform it when necessary.

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR and First Aid in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota.

HeartCert CPR courses include CPR/AED/First Aid and CPR/AED, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Certified Nursing Assistant training. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available.

We are now offering virtual CPR courses and certifications! Find your CPR class at any of our convenient Twin Cities locations, including our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

American Heart Association Issues New CPR Guidelines

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In the new CPR guidelines recently issued by the American Heart Association, the importance of bystander CPR was re-emphasized. “Cardiac arrest is a life-or-death situation,” the AHA committee chair said. “When every second counts, it’s important for lay people to be ready and willing to start CPR.”

The new guidelines recommend that bystanders CPR even if they aren’t sure whether the victim is in cardiac arrest. The risk of harm from CPR is low – especially when compared to the potential risk of cardiac arrest.

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New CPR Guidelines Focus on Recovery

CPR guidelines
photo credit: @shvetsa accessed 10/30/20 via CC0

In a change, the new CPR guidelines add recovery to the “chain of survival.” The chain of survival is a series of actions that determine how and to what extent a patient will recover from cardiac arrest. Those actions include calling 911, performing CPR, and using an automated external defibrillator (AED).

The new recovery phase includes treatment, surveillance and rehabilitation, which includes monitoring and treating depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress caused by the cardiac arrest and heart disease treatment.

Expanding Bystander CPR

The new guidelines also included efforts to encourage bystander CPR. The AHA suggests leveraging mobile phone technology to alert bystanders of a nearby cardiac event. In addition, there is a need for bystander training tailored to specific racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic populations that traditionally have lower rates of bystander CPR.

Ready to learn CPR? HeartCert is here to help. We’re offering virtual CPR training options to keep our students safe. Contact us to learn more.

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR and First Aid in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota.

HeartCert CPR courses include CPR/AED/First Aid and CPR/AED, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Certified Nursing Assistant training. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available.

We are now offering virtual CPR courses and certifications! Find your CPR class at any of our convenient Twin Cities locations, including our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

Could Drone-Delivered AEDs Save Lives?

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Every year in the U.S., more than 350,000 people have a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting. Only about 10 percent of those people survive. When bystanders step in to perform CPR, the likelihood of survival increases significantly. And when AEDs are available, the odds are even better.

But while AEDs are increasingly accessible in public places, they are not available where the highest number of cardiac arrests occur: in private homes. Emergency responders can be quickly dispatched with an AED, but in cardiac arrest, every minute counts.

Testing Drone-Delivered AEDs

drone-delivered AEDs
photo credit: @eric-santoyo-232743 accessed 01/23/20 via CC0

To meet patient needs more quickly, researchers are testing AEDs delivered by unmanned drones – and initial research is promising. According to the American Heart Association, in a test between drones and emergency responders, the drone was able to deliver an AED much more quickly. In some cases, the drone beat the EMR team by up to 8 minutes!

Additional Research Needed

Of course, it will take some time before drone-delivered AEDs become a reality. Researchers are working on logistics, including how to help bystanders receive and interact with the AED. But some believe drone-delivered AEDs could be implemented in just one year!

If drone-delivered AEDs become reality in Minnesota, it could be a huge step in saving lives. However, researchers emphasize that human intervention – bystanders stepping in to perform CPR – will still be an essential part of the process. A bystander will always be needed to recognize when someone is in distress, call for help, perform CPR, and then apply an AED – no matter how that AED arrives.

Will you be that bystander? Register for a CPR class today.

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HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR and First Aid in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota. We offer online, night and weekend classes to fit your busy schedule!

HeartCert offers a variety of courses, including CPR/AED/First Aid and CPR/AED, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Emergency Medical Responder – First Responder (EMR). Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available.

Find your CPR class at any of our convenient Twin Cities locations, including our new headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

Defibrillators Improve Survival in Kids

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A new study has found that automatic external defibrillators, or AEDs, improve survival rates for children who suffer cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting. Specifically, the study found that children who were treated with an AED by a bystander had a survival rate of just over 29 percent. To compare, children not treated with an AED had a 23.7 percent survival rate.

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The study also found that older children are more likely to receive AED treatment than infants and preschoolers. Experts believe this is because older children more commonly go into cardiac arrest at places with defibrillators, like schools. In addition, bystanders may be afraid to perform CPR or use an AED on small children for fear of harming them.

AED Use Can Save Lives

Automatic External Defibrillators
photo credit: Pixabay,com accessed 08/20/2019 via CC0

While the findings of this study may seem obvious, these are important facts to note and discuss. More than 350,000 Americans experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital every year. About 7,000 of those are children. Raising awareness of the life-saving usefulness of AEDs may motivate more businesses to make them accessible, and more people to learn how to use them. In turn, more children will live past a cardiac arrest.

This research makes it clear: when bystanders use defibrillators on children in cardiac arrest, lives are saved. Our Minneapolis CPR/AED courses teach this life-saving skill to daycare providers, school teachers, parents and anyone who wants to be able to help people suffering cardiac emergencies.

 

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for First Aid and CPR in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota. We now offer online, night and weekend classes to fit your busy schedule! We offer a variety of courses, including CPR/AED/First Aid and CPR/AED, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Emergency Medical Responder – First Responder (EMR).

Find your CPR class at any of our convenient Twin Cities locations, including our new headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

Hands-Only CPR Boost Bystander Intervention

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A new study has confirmed that the adoption of hands-only CPR has made bystanders more likely to perform CPR on someone in cardiac arrest. Because receiving any form of CPR doubles the odds of surviving a cardiac arrest, this is excellent, lifesaving news!

hands-only cpr

Hands-only CPR became more widely known and accepted after 2015, when the American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines included the option in its CPR guidelines. Now, instead of requiring both chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth rescue breaths, bystanders can choose to only perform compressions until medical help arrives.

In the study, Swedish researchers examined more than 30,400 people who suffered a cardiac arrest in a non-hospital setting. Twenty percent received hands-only CPR, while 39 percent received standard CPR and 40 percent received no CPR until emergency responders arrived.

This may seem like mixed results, but those numbers indicate a significant increase in bystander CPR performance rates. The numbers increased  from 40.8 percent in 2000-2005 to 68.2 percent in 2011-2017. And although this survey was performed in Sweden, recent research has shown similar increases in the United States.

According to the AHA, more than 325,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of a hospital setting every year in the United States. Receiving immediate CPR keeps the blood flow active until medical help arrives on scene. This more than doubles the odds of survival!

Do you want to be a lifesaver? Sign up for a HeartCert CPR class today.

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for First Aid and CPR in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota. We now offer online, night and weekend classes to fit your busy schedule!

Find your CPR Class, PALS Class, BLS Class, EMR Class or ACLS Class at any of our convenient Twin Cities locations, including our new headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan:

We also have three partner locations in greater Minnesota:

5 Reasons Why Everyone Should Know CPR

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man clutching chest - why everyone should know cprWould you know what to do if a loved one collapsed suddenly in front of you? Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death in the world. CPR can be the difference between life and death. You can’t assume that someone else will step in – that’s why it’s so important to learn CPR. Getting certified is easier than you think. Reserve your spot now!

Lawrence Phillips, MD gives 5 reasons why everyone should be certified. Read the full blog post at Everyday Health, or read on for the highlights:

1. CPR Saves Lives

More than 300,000 people have cardiac arrests in the United States every year.  Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when an electrical rhythm problem occurs and the heart is no longer able to pump blood effectively to the rest of the body. You might see a person suddenly collapse, lose consciousness, and stop breathing. The longer the body goes without circulation, the lower the chance of survival. By performing CPR, you are able to help the person’s blood keep circulating until an ambulance arrives and more advanced tools can be used. We know that the chance of surviving a sudden cardiac arrest increases significantly, by more than double, when CPR is started early.

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2. CPR is Not Performed Enough

Would you be surprised to learn that bystander CPR is done in less than half of all out-of-hospital cardiac arrests? National statistics have shown that only 15 to 30 percent of people who experience sudden cardiac arrests outside of hospitals receive bystander CPR. When people are asked why they would not give CPR, a very common answer is that they never received training. Other concerns, such as doing harm to the person, doing harm to oneself, legal risks, or concerns about infection, often diminish once people learn proper CPR techniques.

3. You Don’t Have to Do Mouth-to-Mouth Resuscitation

Another reason people report they do not perform CPR is because of concerns performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. In 2010 the guidelines for performing CPR were changed, and they now say that those who do not feel comfortable, or who have not received formal training, should attempt hands-only CPR. We advocate performing chest compressions even without breathing assistance. Hands-only CPR has been shown to be just as effective for many adults who experience sudden cardiac arrest.

4. Hands-Only CPR is Easy to Learn

To perform hands-only CPR, place the heel of your hand on the center of the victim’s chest. Take your other hand and place it on top of the first, interlacing your fingers. Press down on the chest about two inches and release. You want to repeat this quickly, at least 100 times a minute. And don’t stop doing CPR until emergency services arrives at the scene – recent studies have found that people may have a better chance of surviving with normal brain function when CPR is continued up to 38 minutes or longer. There are many places to find online videos, as well as formal classes, to see CPR performed correctly. The goal is to find the learning technique that works best for you so that you are comfortable if you are in a situation where you can save a life!

5. Most Cardiac Arrests Occur in the Home

More than 85 percent of cardiac arrests take place at home. In my office at NYU Langone Medical Center, I frequently hear stories from patients about how their lives were saved because of CPR performed by a husband, wife, child, or friend. In fact, there has been a big push, led by the American Heart Association, to bring CPR training to schools, which can save even more lives. So take the challenge. If you don’t know CPR, learn CPR and gain the confidence in knowing that if you are ever needed, you too can save a life!

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for First Aid and CPR in Minnesota. Find your CPR Class, PALS Class, BLS Class or ACLS Class at any of our Minnesota locations:

We also partner with Duluth, Mankato, Rochester, Appleton and Anchorage for select classes.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest or Heart Attack: Know the Difference

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Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Heart Attack are NOT the Same Thing!

cardiac arrest
Image Credit: ©2017 American Heart Association, Inc.

A little knowledge can be a lifesaving thing. Too often, people use “sudden cardiac arrest” and “heart attack” interchangeably, but they shouldn’t. A heart attack is when blood flow to the heart is blocked and sudden cardiac arrest is when the heart malfunctions and suddenly stops beating unexpectedly. A heart attack is a “circulation” problem and sudden cardiac arrest is an “electrical” problem. The American Heart Association provides a few more facts it may be healthy to know:

What is a Heart Attack?

A heart attack occurs when a blocked artery keeps oxygen-rich blood from reaching a section of the heart. If the blocked artery is not reopened quickly, the part of the heart normally nourished by that artery begins to die. The longer a person goes without treatment, the greater the damage. Symptoms of a heart attack may be immediate and intense. More often, though, symptoms start slowly and persist for hours, days or even weeks before the heart attack. The heart usually does not stop beating during a heart attack. Symptoms can differ in men and women.

What is Cardiac Arrest?

Sudden cardiac arrest often occurs without warning. It’s triggered by an electrical malfunction in the heart that causes an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). With its pumping action disrupted, the heart cannot send blood to the brain, lungs and other organs. Seconds later, a person loses consciousness and has no pulse. Death occurs within minutes if the victim does not receive treatment.

What is the link between the two?

These two distinct heart conditions are linked. Sudden cardiac arrest can occur after a heart attack or during recovery. Heart attacks increase the risk for sudden cardiac arrest. Most heart attacks do not lead to sudden cardiac arrest but when sudden cardiac arrest occurs, heart attack is a common cause. Other heart conditions may also disrupt the heart’s rhythm and lead to sudden cardiac arrest. These include a thickened heart muscle (cardiomyopathy), heart failure, and arrhythmias, particularly ventricular fibrillation and long QT syndrome.

What to do: Heart Attack

Even if you’re not sure it’s a heart attack, don’t wait more than five minutes to call 9-1-1 or other emergency response number. Every minute matters. It’s best to call EMS to get to the emergency room right away. Emergency medical services staff can begin treatment when they arrive—up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. EMS staff are also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. Patients with chest pain who arrive by ambulance may get faster treatment at the hospital, too.

What to do: Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Cardiac arrest is reversible in most victims if it’s treated within a few minutes. First, call 9-1-1 for emergency medical services. Then use an automated external defibrillator (AED) if one is available. Begin CPR immediately and continue until professional emergency medical services arrive. If two people are available to help, one should begin CPR immediately while the other calls 9-1-1 and finds an AED. Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death—nearly 360,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur annually in the United States. By performing immediate CPR, you can double or even triple a victim’s chance of survival.

Learn More

Fast action can save lives. It’s a good idea to know what to do if someone experiences a heart attack or cardiac arrest. HeartCert offers CPR and First Aid classes for all skill sets and levels of experience. Whether you are an experienced Healthcare Professional or a new parent just wanting to learn ‘the basics’, we have a class for you! We can teach a convenient one-on-one CPR or first aid training session, or we can certify a large group on-site depending on your needs. Visit our Home page to get started.

Source: ©2017 American Heart Association, Inc.