Cardiac Arrest – The Best Way to Manage the Situation
Cardiac arrest is a life-threatening emergency that can occur at any time, without warning. According to statistics from American Heart Association (AHA), it is estimated that over 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur each year in the United States alone, with only 10% of these individuals surviving due to emergency medical treatment. With the rapidly growing incidents of cardiac arrest nowadays, it is essential to know how to manage the situation and take timely actions to save a life.
The most common reasons for cardiac arrest include lifestyle factors such as stress, anxiety, poor diet and lack of physical activity. Whatever the cause may be, the consequences of cardiac arrest can be destructive for the individual as well as for the family. A key member of the family who is responsible for handling medical emergencies should know how to respond in the event of a cardiac arrest.
Here is a step-by-step action plan that can help you manage the situation and save a life:
- Call for Emergency Medical Services immediately – Dial your local emergency number and explain the situation to the operator. They will dispatch a nearby ambulance to the location with support medical staff and provide further instructions on what to do. 108 is the number most commonly used in Gujarat (India) for emergency medical situations.
- Start CPR immediately – If the person is unconscious and not breathing or feeling difficulty breathing then start CPR immediately. Chest compressions should be performed at a rate of 100-120 per minute. With the hands positioned in the center of the chest.
- Use an AED if available – An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a device that can be used to shock the heart back into a normal rhythm. If an AED is available, use it as soon as possible. However, certain medical qualifications and knowledge are required to use it. Get adequate knowledge of that.
- Continue CPR until help arrives – Chest compressions should be performed continuously until an ambulance or medical professional arrives or the person starts breathing on their own.
- Follow the instructions of the ambulance crew – Once the ambulance or mobile ICU arrives, they will take over and provide further medical treatment. Follow their instructions and provide them with any information they need about the person’s medical history. They may ask you for the choice of hospital to shift the patient. Choose the best multispeciality hospital with Cardiology Speciality.
- Stay calm and focused – During a cardiac arrest, it is important to stay calm and focused. Taking quick and decisive action can mean the difference between life and death.
Cardiac arrest is a life-threatening emergency that requires quick action. By following the mentioned guidelines, you can help manage the situation and save a life. It is important to remember that the most important thing is to start CPR immediately and call for Emergency Medical Services or near by Multispeciality Hospital as soon as possible. By knowing what to do, you can make a difference in someone’s life by helping into a situation of cardiac arrest.