Did you know that sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) can happen at any time without warning or that the sudden heart attacks we see in movies is not the most common type? According to a Heart.org article, “most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren’t sure what’s wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are some signs that can mean a heart attack is happening: chest discomfort, that is in the center of the chest that feels like pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain; discomfort in other areas of the upper body, including one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach; shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort; and other signs, including breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness”.
It is important that business owners, managers and all of their employees understand the symptoms of a heart attack and be prepared to administer CPR anywhere and anytime. The best way to educate and prepare is to include CPR training for employees like A&K Painting Company does. According to the American Heart Association, “effective bystander CPR, provided immediately after cardiac arrest, can double a victim’s chance of survival. CPR helps maintain vital blood flow to the heart and brain and increases the amount of time that an electric shock from a defibrillator can be effective. If more people knew CPR, more lives could be saved, because death from sudden cardiac arrest is not inevitable”.
With the business community becoming more active, prepared and aware of heart attack symptoms, together we can increase the odds of people surviving these unfortunate conditions.