Notes From the Nurse, February 2012
February is Heart Month every year, not just because of Valentine’s Day! The American Heart Association and the Red Cross tie a lot of their education to this month. It makes sense; reminders about how to take care of ourselves and how we can save other’s lives are needed periodically.
Here’s a link to the AHA site which has a brief video of Hands-Only CPR™ http://HandsOnlyCPR.org/ You can also get an app for your iPhone, Android, or Palm Pre to guide you through CPR!
Sudden Cardiac Arrest
This means your heart has completely stopped effective beating; survival depends greatly on immediately getting CPR from someone nearby. Unfortunately, less than 1/3 of those people who experience a cardiac arrest at home, work or in a public location get that help. Most people are worried that they might do something wrong or make things worse. That’s why things are being made much simpler for non-medical professionals. And the beauty is these techniques can work as well or better than “old-fashioned CPR”!
If you see an adult suddenly collapse, and he or she is not breathing and unresponsive, call 911 and push hard and fast in the center of the chest. The American Heart Association says, “Don’t be afraid. Your actions can only help.”
Heart Attack and Stroke
In a heart attack, a part of the heart can die from lack of blood. In a stroke, part of the brain can die. These are life-and-death emergencies; every second counts. If you see or have any of the following symptoms, immediately call 911. Not all these signs occur in every heart attack or stroke. Sometimes they go away and return. If some occur, get help fast! There are new and better treatments every day to stop a heart attack or stroke in its tracks. But to be effective, these drugs must be given relatively quickly after symptoms first appear.
HEART ATTACK WARNING SIGNS
- Chest Discomfort
- Most heart attacks cause discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
- Pain or Discomfort in one or both Arms, Back, Neck, Jaw or Stomach
- Shortness of Breath with or without chest discomfort
- Other Signs may include a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness
STROKE WARNING SIGNS
If even one of these signs is present, don’t delay:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of Face, Arm, Leg, especially if one-sided
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Thanks to our partnership with Hoag Hospital’s Health Ministry program, we will be able to offer CPR and or First Aid training through the year! Let’s all be prepared to save lives if we have to.
And don’t forget prevention. Try not to gain weight; try to exercise some every day. Remember, any step you take can be the first of many in the right direction!
Adair Small, nurse
ocuuc
org (nurseocuucorg)
Congregation Nurse
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