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Baby, Baby, Can't you hear my Heartbeat?


Ross Thomson


Back in the 1960's when Herman Hermits originally sang the song Baby, Baby, Can't you hear my Heartbeat?, it was all about how love can make your heart beat in a strange (and exciting) way. That's the wonderful side to the story of irregular heartbeats. However, there is also a more serious side.

Each year Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) - where the heart starts beating irregularly and eventually stops beating - strikes many people. We may all know of someone that just "dropped dead" without any obvious signs of ill-health. In the majority of these cases the person will have no prior warning of a heart complaint. Sadly fewer than 5% of SCA victims survive. This low survival rate is in large part a result of the fact that emergency medical services cannot reach the victim in time. However, there is something very simple that any workplace can do to improve this sad statistic.

In this article we take a look at what happens in Sudden Cardiac Arrest. We then explain what a heart "defibrillator" is and how having one available as part of the Office "First Aid" kit could help you to save your work colleagues LIFE!!

WHAT IS SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST?

beating_heart_1

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), also known as sudden cardiac death, is when the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating. When this occurs, blood stops flowing to the brain and other vital organs. It is important to note that most SCA's happen to people who appear healthy and have no known heart disease or other risk factors for SCA.

The heart has an internal electrical system that controls the rhythm of the heartbeat. Problems with the electrical system can cause abnormal heart rhythms. SCA occurs when the electrical system of the heart short-circuits, most often causing an abnormal rhythm known as Ventricular Fibrillation. In this state the heart has the movement similar to a "wobbly jelly" and can't get back into a normal rhythm with out some out side help.

SCA is not the same thing as a heart attack. A heart attack is a problem with blocked blood flow to a part of the heart muscle. During a heart attack, the heart usually does not suddenly stop beating. SCA, may however happen during recovery from a heart attack. With treating SCA, time is of the essence. As you can see from the chart below, if SCA is not treated within minutes, death is most often the result.

sca_graph_1

In fact, ninety-five percent of people who have SCA die from it. This is because medical assistance can most often not get to the sick person quickly enough. However, rapid treatment of SCA with a defibrillator that is close to hand (a device that sends an electrical shock to the heart) can be lifesaving.

 

SO WHAT IS A DEFIBRILLATOR AND HOW DOES IT WORK?


A defibrillator is a small electronic machine that can give such a required controlled electric shock to restart the heart. Once the heart has had a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) and is in this quivering uncontrollable state (Ventricular Fibrillation), a controlled electric shock to the heart can allow the heart to restart itself again - very much like rebooting your computer after it has frozen.

defibrillator_1

The HeartStart First Aid Defibrillator (as supplied by St John)

DON'T I HAVE TO BE AN EXPERT MEDIC TO OPERATE ONE OF THESE DEFIBRILLATORS??


Today, there are some very affordable Automated Defibrillator units available that are so easy to use that, with minimal training, you could potentially save the life of a co-worker, friend, or anyone else stricken with Sudden Cardiac Arrest.
Once the pads are placed on the casualty's chest, these "automatic" devices analyze and look for shockable heart rhythms. The defribillator then advises the rescuer of the need for defibrillation by voice prompts. It will only then deliver the defibrillation shock if it is needed.

HOW SAFE ARE THESE FOR THE USER?

Automatic external defibrillators are extremely safe when used properly. The electric shock is programmed to go from one pad to another through the casualty's chest. Basic precautions, such as verbally warning others to stand back and visually checking the area before and during the shock, will ensure the safety of rescuers.

WHAT ABOUT CPR?

CPR provides some circulation of oxygen rich blood to the casualty's heart and brain. This circulation delays both brain death and the death of heart muscle, but will not restart a fibrillating heart. CPR buys some time until the defibrillator can arrive and also makes the heart more likely to respond to defibrillation.

CONCLUSION

So next time you go and check the First Aid Kit, think about the possibility of adding a Defibrillator to the Kit. God forbid, but it may be you that your colleagues might have to use it on!! For more information on the supply of Defibrillators follow this link to the St John website.

heartman_1

SOURCES:

1. US National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute.
2. NZ Health Information Service.
3. The Mid Central District Health Board
4. St John, Dean Kelly, Business Development Manager


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