Nobody wants to see someone’s life flash before their eyes, and even more when that someone is related to them. One of the vicious killers in the world comes with no dagger or gun, but it strikes fast with no more than a trace: cardiac arrest.
Cardiac Arrest: What Makes It Deadly
There are many cases wherein cardiac arrests happen outside the vicinity of a hospital, making it deadlier than it already is. Now, what really happens when a patient suffers from a sudden cardiac arrest? In defense of heart attack, cardiac arrest is a different issue. A cardiac arrest happens when the electrical impulses of the heart become erratic that makes the heart—a vital organ that supplies oxygenated blood to other organs such as the brain and lungs to keep them functioning—stop beating. There are times that a cardiac arrest can lead to heart attack that is when the blood supply to a heart muscle is obstructed. Nevertheless, a cardiac arrest is different from heart attack.
When there is no access to any person who knows cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or an Automated External Defibrillators (AED), the survival rate of the victim of cardiac arrest is significantly low. It is important to note that the flow of oxygenated blood needed by the brain has been halted, causing the deaths of numerous brain cells. The “death” of the brain cells can lead to serious damages to a victim even when he survives the arrest. The longer this supply is cut off, the slimmer the chances of survival are. This is one reason why everyone must know how to administer CPR.
High Frequency Chest Compression: Resuscitating A Cardiac Arrest Patient
As time changes, so does the advancement in techniques applied to save lives. Through more research and study, the used-to-be’s of CPR are now changed and altered to address the tiny details that have been overlooked in the past.
What started from a simple mouth to mouth resuscitation has now become one of the most vital first aid practices. In the past, the pattern ABC that stands for Airway, Breathing and Circulation is followed in administering CPR; however, further studies changed it to CAB. Furthermore, what was known as 1 ½ inches depth of compression are now improved to 2 inches. This to ensure that quality compression are administered to the victim while help is still on its way, and this is just the beginning.
Commonly referred to as high-frequency chest compression, a rate of 120 compression per minute must be done by a rescuer to improve resuscitation on cardiac arrest patients. This technique is given emphasis on the 2010 CPR Guidelines by American Heart Association (AHA). Along with the CAB approach, AHA encourages a simultaneous and choreographed approach to CPR in terms of chest compression as well. For every 30 compression’s, 2 breaths of air shall be given to the patient while administering CPR. This cycle is to be repeated over and over until professional help arrives.
Giving CPR can be tiring and exhausting; however, the frequency and duration of interruptions in compression must be kept at minimum. If there is another person who can give CPR, switch with them every once in a while. Then, after every two minutes of chest compression, check the ECG rhythm of the patient.
