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Pumped Up: Cardiac Care Advances Spell the Difference
We
thought that cancer was the deadliest of all diseases. Apparently not (at
least in America). In America, cardiovascular diseases are the greatest
inhibitor of a high life expectancy rate (Studies show that if CVDs were not
present, life expectancy would have skyrocketed to an additional 7 years.) and
ranks as the number one cause of a million deaths per year due to cardiac
arrest. NCHS statistics of 2004
indicate that out of the 2,398,000 deaths
in America, CVD is responsible for a whopping 36.3%. That is roughly 1
out of 3 deaths. In addition, coronary heart disease, one of the most
life-threatening CVDs if not the most, is accountable for over 325,000 deaths a
year (which translates to almost over 900 deaths in any given day)while stroke
ranks number three.
Deaths
resulting from cardiac arrests and sudden cardiac death are not something
new. But like cancer’s chemotherapy, deaths resulting from cardiac
arrests and sudden cardiac death are reversible or rather survivable.
Emergency cardiac care:
Ways to prevent cardiac death
1. Calling 911
The
most immediate form of treatment is rapid communication with Emergency Medical
Services. Upon witnessing or experiencing the signs and symptoms of
cardiac failure such as: shortness of breath, dizziness, sudden and intolerable
headaches, and chest pain, the victim or anyone within his or her proximity is
never wrong to call 911 even if it turns out to be something minor, borne out
of mere fatigue in a day’s work, or something else entirely. Prolonging
the aid of emergency medical services increases the chances of death. Studies
show that more than 300,000 out-of-hospital deaths from coronary heart diseases
happen each year.
2. Rapid intervention and
movement
Sometimes
the arrival of paramedics can often come with delay especially in cases of long
distanced calls for immediate help. Immediate aid can be performed by any
bystander or layman or someone in the neighborhood who is CPR (cardiopulmonary
resuscitation)-capable and has some knowledge with first aid. If there
are hemorrhages or bleeding involved, it is wise to put immediate pressure on
the wound so as to disrupt excessive blood loss or exsanguinations. When
available, tourniquets and QuickClot products are to be used immediately until
further medical assistance is available.
3. Quick and early cardiac
care
CPR
is purported to have a strong association with patients’ survival rates.
Survival rate amounts to 0 or a gloomy 3% when CPR as well as defibrillation is
postponed (which is often the case with delayed EMS). A patient’s chances
of surviving death is doubled or tripled if CPR and defibrillation are
performed on time, quickly, and correctly. The hemodynamic phase of the
CPR immediate compression is most critical. This is usually done 5-10
minutes after collapse if survival chances are to be ensured.
A
12-year study in King County, Washington from the years 1999-2003 revealed the
direct correlation between immediate intubation of cardiac arrest victims and a
high survival rate When a patient is immediately intubated within 12 minutes
since the collapse, as the proponents of the study show, there is a 46%
survival rate as opposed to intubation done after the 12th minute
mark which gives a slim chance of 23%.
Advanced
life support and advanced cardiac care also improve survival chances. The
coronary angioplasty which involves a balloon or mechanical stent at the end of
an inserted catheter is used to treat arterial blockage. Electric shocks
to the chest are also effective means of restoring heart function.
Article Source: EMS - EveryMinuteSucks.com
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