What Is CPR?

Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation is the artificial method of circulating blood and oxygen through a body in an attempt to keep the brain alive. All living cells in the body require oxygen and nutrients, which are carried by the blood stream. This is especially true for the brain. If the brain goes without oxygen and blood for more than 4 to 6 minutes, the brain begins to die. Therefore, knowing how to perform CPR, and initiating it right away, will buy a person time until paramedics and doctors can take over. CPR does work, and when initiated within four to six minutes, the rate of survival rate is approximately 10%.

Why Learn CPR?

• One in seven people have the opportunity to use CPR in their lifetime.
• More than 650,000 people die annually from heart attacks in the United States each year.
• More than 350,000 heart attack victims die before reaching the hospital.
• Brain damage / brain death begins when the brain goes without oxygen after four to six minutes.
• In the United States, there are approximately 500,000 strokes a year.
• In the United States, there are approximately 6,000 drowning incidents a year, and over 3000 airway obstructions a year.

How to Get CPR Certified

There are a few organizations that provide community CPR classes that teach adult, child, and infant CPR. The class is a 6-hour class and fees may vary depending on the organization that is providing the class. Listed below are organizations that are local to South Bay residents:

• Beach Cities Health District
  (310) 374-3426 ext.126
  www.bchd.org


• Red Cross #56
  Del Amo Fashion Center
  Torrance, Ca.
  (310) 214-2622
  Class Schedules 1-800-627-7000
  www.Acrossla.org

Health Risk Factors

Factors that cannot be changed:

• Heredity - You cannot change your genetic background.
• Sex - Women have a lower incident of heart attacks.
• Age - Risk increases with age but one in four deaths from a heart attack occur under the age of 65.

Factors that can be changed:

• Smoking - One pack a day increases the risk of a heart attack by as much as two times over that of a non-smoker. Stroke is increased by a rate of five times.
• Hypertension - High blood pressure is a major factor but with no specific symptoms. One in three American adults have high blood pressure controlled by diet, exercise, and medications.
• Diet - Consumption of high fat, high cholesterol foods causes plaque to form on artery walls, which in turn constricts blood flow.
• Obesity - Obese, middle aged men have a three times greater risk of heart attack.
• Lack of Exercise - Regular aerobic exercise at least three times a week can decrease the risk of a heart attack.
• Stress - A type "A" personality with a sense of urgency, drive and competitiveness has a greater risk. There are ways to keep stress to a minimum.

Signs and Symptoms of a Heart Attack:

• Chest pain - Can be an uncomfortable pressure, tightness, or feeling of indigestion, heavy squeezing pain (like a weight on the chest), and it can radiate to the left arm, neck or jaw.
• Denial - The patient having pain usually will deny the pain.
• Nausea / Vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Pale, sweaty, cold skin

Actions for survival:

• Recognize the signs.
• Stop activity, rest, and lay down.
• If pain lasts more than a couple of minutes, call for help. Call 911.
• Be prepared to do CPR. If alone, activate 911 before beginning CPR.