June, being Men’s Health Month, is an ideal time to remember that heart disease continues to top the list of health issues for men over forty. The American Heart Association (AHA) reports that one in three men are affected by heart disease, which puts them at risk for a heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest.
During a heart attack blood flow is blocked, but the individual can still talk and breath. They don’t need CPR, but they should get to a hospital as soon as possible. Having a heart attack increases the risk of a future cardiac arrest.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is when a person’s heart stops beating. It can no longer pump blood their brain and lungs and death can occur within minutes. An SCA victim is unresponsive, even when shaken or shouted at. They will not be breathing or only gasping. This is when performing CPR quickly is crucial.
When CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) is performed in the first few minutes of cardiac arrest, it mimic how the heart pumps to keep the person’s blood flowing until medical help arrives. CPR can double or triple the person’s chance of survival and improve their recovery rate, as well. In some cases, they may even be able to return to their daily life with minimal side effects.
7 of 10 Sudden Cardiac Arrests Happen at Home
About 350,000 cardiac arrests happen outside of hospitals each year, and 70 percent of them happen at home. This fact is a reminder that men’s health is a family issue, too. Unfortunately, many of the people who experience cardiac arrest at home do not get the immediate help they need to survive. A family member with CPR knowledge can quickly help a loved one until an ambulance can get there.
Sports-Related Cardiac Arrest is More Frequent in Men
A study reported by the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation reported that the incidence of cardiac arrest among marathon runners in the U.S. was one per 100,000 full-marathon and half-marathon participants. 86 percent of the victims were men running a full marathon. Of those runners, only 29% survived – those who died were younger than the ones who survived – 39 years old vs. 49 years old.
Bystanders Play a Significant Role In SCA Survival
Sudden Cardiac Arrest is witnessed by a bystander about 37 percent of the time. CPR training, or at least some knowledge of CPR can give a bystander witness to cardiac arrest the confidence to stay calm and try to keep the person alive until medical help arrives. As mentioned earlier, performing CPR can double or triple the survival rate of an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
At School
Sudden Cardiac Arrest is the leading cause of death on school campuses. 1 in 25 U.S. high schools has a SCA event each year.
In the Workplace
About 10,000 cardiac arrests happen in offices, factories and other workplaces each year. Your CPR knowledge or training could help save a coworker’s life.
is a registered trademark of CPR Portal, LLC. All Rights Reserved.