CPR Makes You Undead

Gail Packwood

You may see more zombies in the streets than normal over the next few weeks. No, it’s not just preparation for Hallowe’en, the Heart and Stroke Foundation launched its new cardiac health awareness campaign this week CPR Makes You Undead.

The campaign runs for October and November and its intention is to raise the profile of CPR training in Canada. You can watch the campaign here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApmPQDAzYyM&feature=player_embedded

Most people know to Call 911 if they suspect someone is having a heart attack or has suffered from a cardiac event. In a major urban centre, we are lucky that usually help isn’t very far away

but every minute is critical and can truly mean life or death when someone has had a cardiac arrest. Learning CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) is a skill that could help you actually save someone’s life as the survival rate for cardiac arrest increases to 20% when CPR is performed (it is only 5% for those who do not receive emergency medical attention within the first minutes of the attack). The survival rate increases even more if an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is used.

Many people say they are afraid to touch someone if they have had a cardiac arrest for fear of making the situation worse or breaking a rib. The main thing to remember is you cannot make someone more dead and ribs will heal.

So what can you do?

• Know the signs of a cardiac arrest – sudden collapse, sudden unresponsiveness and/or abnormal or no breathing.

• Learn CPR. Many organizations across the country offer First aid and CPR training. If you aren’t sure where to look in your community, contact the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

• Find out if there is an AED where you work, go to school or live. If there is, find out if training is being offered in how to operate it. Using an AED can increase the survival rate by 75%! Most shopping malls, community centres, schools and government buildings are now equipped with AED units.

For yourself, take the Heart and Stroke Risk Assessment Quiz on their website to determine what your risk factors are. The quiz takes only a minute and will provide you will a personalized report outlining what you can do to lower your negative risk factors. Small changes can make a big difference.

Stress, high blood pressure, high alcohol consumption, smoking and excess weight are all be factors that can negatively impact your cardiac health. Find out what you can do to lower your risks and improve your heart health. Visit the Heart and Stroke Foundation website

www.heartandstrokefoundation.com