World Heart Day

Today is World Heart Day.  Sadly in New Zealand, cardiovascular disease is our leading cause of death. Some of these deaths are preventable, so today, please take a few minutes to familiarise yourself with ways you can help. Make time to have your own health checked and don’t ignore symptoms that could be indicators of heart disease or poor heart health.

Firstly, look after your own heart. Your lifestyle has the power to improve your cardio vascular health – that means:

• eating a balanced healthy diet
• maintaining a healthy weight
• exercising regularly
• not smoking
• moderating alcohol consumption
• limiting stress

Mike Mander is an EMT (emergency medical technician), a volunteer firefighter and the director of Heart Saver. He says to imagine that your heart is a house – a heart attack means there is a problem with the plumbing, a sudden cardiac arrest is a problem with the electricity.

Know the signs of heart attack and cardiac arrest, and what to do to help. Heart attacks don’t discriminate – a healthy lifestyle is a start, but even young ‘fit looking’ people can experience them.

Not all heart attack patients experience the same symptoms, but typically a patient may experience chest pain, the pain may radiate into the arms & legs and they may be short of breath and dizzy/nauseous.

They will also be scared, so as the person on the scene offering assistance, remain calm.

Call an ambulance immediately. Ask if the patient has heart medication, and help them take it. If not, aspirin can help in the first instance.

Heart Saver runs regular first aid courses and also supplies AEDs (defibrillators).  Motorhome owners often choose to have one on board – the best bet of survival while parked at a remote spot may be having a defib on board.

“The key point with AED’s is that they are so user-friendly, and you cannot shock someone by mistake,” says Mike. “If you believe someone is experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest i.e. they have lost consciousness, are not responsive, and are not breathing; simply turn on the AED device and follow the voice instructions – you will be guided through each step of the rescue process including; attaching the electrode pads, when to touch and not touch the patient, when to press the shock button, and also provide CPR guidance through a metronome beat.”

For more information on Heart Day and first aid, click here.