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AHA CPR for the public and healthcare providers

Larry Seth

The Link Between Heart Health and Mental Health

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The connection between the heart and the brain has long been explored, explained, and romanticized. Now, researchers say that the brain and heart are connected in a very real way, with new evidence of the link between heart health and mental health.

How Does Mental Health Affect The Heart?

According to the American Heart Association, research shows that good mental health can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and improve overall heart health. On the flip side, poor mental well-being can increase the risk of heart disease.

This could be explained by the results of a certain mental state. For example, people with a more optimistic outlook on life tend to engage in healthier behaviors, such as exercise and sleep. However, researchers also point out the link between stress and heart health, which has been well-documented.

Regardless of the cause of the mental and heart health link, experts urge primary care doctors and cardiologists to be aware of the risks and treat patients accordingly.

Doctors Should Include Mental Health Screening in Routine Visits

To identify at-risk patients, researchers are advocating for mental health screenings to be made part of regular check-ups. This should be prioritized for patients with heart disease or risk factors. Doctors should also be well-versed in possible interventions, such as medications or talk therapy, for patients who are struggling.

How to Boost Mental Health for the Good of the Heart

mental health
photo credit: @mikhail-nilov accessed 4/2/21 via CC0

The good news? Many of the tactics recommended to improve heart health will also benefit mental well-being. These include healthy eating, quality sleep, exercise, minimizing alcohol, and maintaining social connections.

What’s the best way to protect the hearts of those around you? Take a virtual CPR training course!

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR and First Aid in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota.

HeartCert CPR courses include CPR/AED/First Aid, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Certified Nursing Assistant training. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available.

We are now offering virtual CPR courses and certifications, as well as safe in-person courses at our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

Why Should I Become a CNA?

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The pandemic has helped us better understand the hard work and sacrifice of health care workers, from doctors to nutrition workers, EMTs to cleaning staff, and everyone in between. If you’re looking to join the health care industry but don’t want to spend a lot of time or money on school, consider becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant, or CNA.

Certified Nursing Assistants are among the most sought-after professionals in health care for many reasons. CNAs are versatile members of a health care team, working in many different settings and performing a variety of tasks, making them valuable staff members to have on hand.

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And, on the flip side, there are many benefits to working as a CNA! We’ll discuss a few of those here.

CNA
photo credit: @karolina-grabowska accessed 4/2/21 via CC0

Ease and Affordability of CNA Training Programs

You can become a Certified Nursing Assistant in a matter of weeks, with an investment of less than $2,000. And because CNAs are in such high demand, it is likely that you will find employment quickly and easily.

A Career that Makes a Difference

CNAs perform daily tasks that help people live safe, healthy and independent lives. They often develop relationships with patients and families, and are a highly valued member of any health care team.

Versatility and Variety

CNAs work in nursing homes, hospitals, in patient homes, and more. If you want to work with a certain population or in a specific setting, you’ll most likely have that opportunity. If you want to make a change, it’s easy to switch to a different health care facility.

Job Stability and Security

In Minnesota and across the United States, health care providers are grappling with a shortage of nursing professionals. With an aging population, this is only likely to increase. This gives CNAs the power to dictate where they want to work, and the comfort of job security.

Identify Passions and Preferences

Beginning your nursing career as a Certified Nursing Assistant will allow you to explore different settings and roles within the health care industry. If you decide to further your career, you’ll already know the setting, role and people you want to serve.

Steppingstone to A Nursing Career

The foundations gained in a Certified Nursing Assistant training course and professional experience allows prospective nurses to start nursing coursework a step ahead.

Don’t wait to begin your health care career. Register for a Certified Nursing Assistant course with HeartCert today.

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR and First Aid in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota.

HeartCert CPR courses include CPR/AED/First Aid and CPR/AED, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Certified Nursing Assistant training. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available.

We are now offering virtual CPR courses and certifications, as well as safe in-person courses at our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

How Closely Should You Track Your Heart Rate?

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With the increasing popularity of smart watches and fitness trackers, more people are keeping a close eye on their heart rate. And while it’s generally good to track health metrics, experts say that monitoring your heart rate too closely could actually have negative health effects.

track your heart rate

Photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels

A normal resting heart rate for adults is between 60 and 100 beats per minute (BPM). But that number fluctuates significantly throughout the day, as we engage in our normal daily activities. So continually tracking your rate won’t actually do much good – and could cause you to become obsessed in an unhealthy way.

Heart Rate Matters, But Other Metrics Matter More

That’s not to say that it doesn’t matter. According to the American Heart Association, studies have shown a 16% increase in risk of death for every 10 BPM increase in resting heart rate. But other heart disease risk factors, such as blood pressure, activity level, weight, and whether a person smokes, are more determinative, doctors say.

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This is why it’s good to track heart rate along with all of those other metrics, and with your specific risk factors in mind. Experts recommend checking your heart rate and blood pressure once per month. Talk to your doctor to determine what’s normal for you, so you can know if your rate is out of range.

A heart rate that’s too fast or too slow can indicate an issue or illness, and may need to be corrected with medication or a device like a pacemaker. But without consulting your doctor, there’s no reason to obsess over it.

What’s the best way to protect the hearts of those around you? Take a CPR training course!

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR and First Aid in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota.

HeartCert CPR courses include CPR/AED/First Aid and CPR/AED, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Certified Nursing Assistant training. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available.

We are now offering virtual CPR courses and certifications, as well as safe in-person courses at our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

What is the Out-of-Hospital Chain of Survival?

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When a person goes into sudden cardiac arrest outside of a health care facility, there is a specific sequence of events that, if performed fully and efficiently, can significantly improve their chances of survival and recovery. This is known as the Out-of-Hospital Chain of Survival.

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According to the American Heart Association, there are six steps in this process. Each is vitally important to a cardiac arrest patient’s survival. It’s important to understand the chain and what role you might play, should you encounter someone in sudden cardiac arrest.

The Six Steps of the Out-of-Hospital Chain of Survival

out-of-hospital chain of survival
image c/o American Heart Association
  1. Recognition of cardiac arrest, and activation of the emergency response system (calling 911)
  2. Performing CPR as quickly as possible, with an emphasis on chest compressions
  3. Defibrillation with an AED
  4. Resuscitation and advanced care performed by emergency medical responders and health care providers
  5. Additional care performed after the cardiac arrest
  6. Recovery treatment, rehabilitation or observation as needed

A Bystander’s Role in the Chain of Survival

The first three steps of the chain must often be performed by bystanders, whether or not they know the patient. If nothing else, it’s vital to understand when a sudden cardiac arrest is taking place, and to call 911.

But performing CPR as soon as possible is key to improving outcomes. According to data from 2014, almost 45 percent of people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of health care settings survived when bystander CPR was performed. And because about 70 percent of cardiac arrests take place in the home, the life you save may be that of a family member.

Ready to get started with CPR? Schedule a CPR training course today.

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR and First Aid in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota.

HeartCert CPR courses include CPR/AED/First Aid and CPR/AED, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Certified Nursing Assistant training. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available.

We are now offering virtual CPR courses and certifications, as well as safe in-person courses at our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

Why Women Are Less Likely to Receive CPR

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February marks both American Heart Month and Go Red for Women. This makes it the perfect time to discuss overall heart health and the impact of heart disease, and related biases, on women. For example: did you know that women are less likely to receive CPR from a bystander than men? This was the finding of a recent survey, and it translates to greater impacts for women of all demographics.

According to a 2018 survey discussed by the American Heart Association, 45% of men received bystander CPR, compared to 39% of women. Overall, men had a 23% higher likelihood of survival than women.

women receive CPR
photo credit: @giulia_bertelli accessed 2/3/21 via CC0

To ensure better outcomes for women suffering from cardiac arrest, here are a few ways to promote and encourage performing bystander CPR on women.

Why Are Women Less Likely to Receive CPR Than Men?

Survey respondents gave three primary reasons for their reluctance to perform CPR on women.

  1. Fear of being accused of inappropriate physical contact or sexual assault
  2. Fear of harming the victim
  3. The misconception that women don’t have cardiac arrests or are being overdramatic

For men, the first reason is the most prevalent, and the second is most prevalent for women.

How to Encourage Bystanders to Perform CPR on Women

Education is one of the easiest and most effective ways to dispel myths and encourage bystanders to perform CPR on women. For example, there is a very small probability of injuring someone by administering CPR on them. If that is more widely known and understood, there might be less hesitance.

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In addition, greater education about the necessity of performing CPR could help, especially when helping people overcome fears of sexual assault accusations. When a woman is in medical distress, help is necessary, even if it feels inappropriate at the time.

Training more people on how to perform hands-free CPR could significantly reduce this disparity. Consider hosting a CPR course for your workplace, or register for a virtual class.

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR and First Aid in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota.

HeartCert CPR courses include CPR/AED/First Aid and CPR/AED, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Certified Nursing Assistant training. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available.

We are now offering virtual CPR courses and certifications, as well as safe in-person courses at our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

Include Heart Attack Prevention in Game Day Planning

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With the Superbowl fast approaching, football fans are deciding which team to root for, choosing a jersey, and – most importantly – planning snacks. One additional task you should take on before game day? Becoming aware of common heart attack symptoms and brushing up on CPR.

game day
photo credit: jeshoots accessed 2/3/21 via CC0

Why should heart attack prevention be part of game day planning? Research has found a link between major sporting events, like the Superbowl and World Cup, and an increase in heart attacks and arrhythmias. Even if you don’t have any elevated risk factors for heart disease, here are a few things you can do to protect your heart on game day.

Manage Stress

When you have an attachment to a team or an outcome and the game isn’t going the way you’d hoped, stress can ramp way up. This causes an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, potentially triggering a cardiovascular event.

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Know Your Risks

If you have any preexisting risk factors, such as obesity, smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, or high blood pressure, you may be more susceptible to a heart attack on game day. Talk to your doctor about ways to improve your heart health and minimize risk.

Focus on the Positive

Instead of focusing just on the game play and outcome of the game, try to enjoy the whole day for what it is – a fun get-together with family and friends. Laugh at the commercials, take in the halftime show, and have a memorable and low-stress day.

Whether you’re a football fan or not, hands-only CPR is a good skill to have. Check out our full offering of virtual and in-person CPR and first aid courses.

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR and First Aid in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota.

HeartCert CPR courses include CPR/AED/First Aid and CPR/AED, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Certified Nursing Assistant training. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available.

We are now offering virtual CPR courses and certifications, as well as safe in-person courses at our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

This is an updated blog post that was originally published in October 2018.

Common Heart Attack Symptoms in Women

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If someone asked you to name common heart attack symptoms, what would you say? The first to come to mind would probably be sudden chest pressure, left arm pain and a loss of consciousness. And that’s not wrong – if you’re talking about common symptoms in men. When it comes to women, heart attack symptoms are different, and they’re often much less obvious.

heart attack symptoms
photo credit: @kellysikkema accessed 1/5/20 via CC0

Different Causes Result in Different Symptoms

When men suffer a heart attack, it’s often caused by significant plaque build up and a resulting blood clot. Therefore, symptoms are more likely to be sudden and severe, like those discussed above.

What’s the difference between heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest? Click here to learn more.

In women, however, heart attacks are more often caused by plaque erosion – when smaller pieces of plaque partially block arteries. Because this is a more subtle stop of blood flow, symptoms are less severe and recognizable.

Common Heart Attack Symptoms in Women

Half of women don’t experience any chest pain, and many of the common symptoms mimic other ailments. This is why it’s important for women to understand their risk factors, watch for symptoms, and always advocate for their health.

Common symptoms include:

  • Sudden, extreme fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Indigestion and heartburn
  • Dizziness
  • Back and neck pain
  • Arm and jaw pain
  • Chest pain, discomfort and pressure

If you experience any of these symptoms, don’t hesitate to contact a medical professional.

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR and First Aid in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota.

HeartCert CPR courses include CPR/AED/First Aid and CPR/AED, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Certified Nursing Assistant training. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available.

We are now offering virtual CPR courses and certifications, as well as safe in-person courses at our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

This is an updated blog post that was originally published in November 2018.