Heart health and emergencies

Everything you need to know about heart health from cardiac arrest and CPR, to heart attacks and high blood pressure.

The heart is one of our most vital organs and fundamental to life. We have written so many articles on this amazing organ, here is a review of some of our best: from performing CPR, keeping your blood pressure in check, dealing with a heart attack whilst on our own, to crucial screening to avoid heart attack in the young. Furthermore, we have informative videos to watch plus the latest app to let you know where to locate your nearest potentially life-saving defibrillator. Let’s help you look after your hearts

Heart attacks and cardiac arrests and how to survive them

In the UK there are over 100,000 admissions to hospital each year due to heart attacks. However, the outlook for surviving heart attacks and recovery is improving. In the 1960’s more than 7 out of 10 heart attacks in the UK were fatal. These days at least 7 out of 10 people survive. As a result, there are an estimated 1 million people alive in the UK today who have survived a heart attack.

How to manage if you think you are having a heart attack and you are on your own

According to the British Heart Foundation, someone is taken to hospital in the UK with a heart attack every three minutes. However, many people will be on their own. Therefore, it is vital to know how to help yourself if you are alone and think you’re having a heart attack. Follow our instructions from recognising the warning signs and ignoring urban myths.

Why defibrillators are so important and how to use them

With around 30,000 people each year suffering a sudden cardiac arrest, it is imperative that bystanders know how to respond. In fact, a cardiac arrest can affect anyone at any time – from young children at school, to adults when they’re at home, work or out in public places. Without the correct treatment, cardiac arrests are often fatal. The British Heart Foundation’s figures revealing that only one in ten victims survive. However, the chance of surviving a cardiac arrest jumps from 6% to 74% if the casualty is in a shockable rhythm and a defibrillator is deployed within 3 minutes. Therefore, it is important you know how to use one.

CPR – Cardio, Pulmonary Resuscitation

In a recent survey from the British Heart Foundation, they found that 1 in 3 adults would not know how to help someone if they were unconscious and not breathing. Although 96% of them would call an ambulance, the vast majority would not have a clue to help whilst waiting for the ambulance to arrive.

In fact, the UK survival rates radically lag behind the rest of Europe. Therefore, is hoped that adding first aid to the curriculum in English Schools will help. However, the key development is that more people undertake some form of practical or online first aid training and are able to start CPR as soon as possible if someone collapses and stops breathing.

CPR – How To Save a Baby’s Life

CPR is one of the key areas of first aid that many people are still confused by. What does it mean? How do you do it? When is it needed? As a first aid trainer and trained nurse, I know just how vital those first minutes can be, so here’s a quick rundown of everything you need to know about how to give CPR to a baby or child who isn’t breathing.

High blood pressure and how to reduce it to help heart health

High blood pressure or hypertension is often an underlying condition, closely associated with serious health issues such as heart attacks. It affects an estimated 17 million people in the UK. What exactly is high blood pressure and what causes it? Plus how to reduce high blood pressure, and consequently reduce the risk of having a heart attack. Read more here.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest in the young and the simple screening to avoid them

Shocking statistics reveal that heart attacks are not a preserve of the old. Every week in the UK, 12 seemingly fit and healthy young people, aged 35 years and under, die from Young Sudden Cardiac Death. Furthermore, in 80% of these cases there were no symptoms. However, a simple free screening can however flag up any cardiac abnormalities and conditions which could lead to sudden cardiac death. The majority of those tested receive the all clear. However one in 300 tested by the screening programme will be flagged as having a potentially life-threatening condition. The conditions can then be treated either with lifestyle changes, medication or surgery.

Read more about heart charity Cardiac Risk in the Young or CRY here: https://www.c-r-y.org.uk/screening/

For more information about heart attacks or to sign up to one of our first aid courses visit: https://firstaidforlife.org.uk/heart-attacks/