ADHS
News Release:
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| Release: |
Save a Heart in AZ on Valentine’s Day |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –
February 14, 2006 |
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| Contact: |
Mary Ehlert, ADHS Public Information, (602) 364-1201; cell (602) 721-0532
Michael Murphy, ADHS Public Information (602) 542-1094 |
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Today is Valentine’s Day and as love and hearts abound it’s a good day to be reminded that Arizonans can save hearts – and save lives – everyday by knowing what to do when cardiac arrest occurs.
Heart disease is the number one killer in Arizona. Every day more than 29 Arizonans die, that’s more than one Arizonan every hour, that dies from heart disease. Sudden cardiac arrests are the leading cause of death and disability and a leading source of health care costs in Arizona.
“Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation are an effective one two punch that saves lives, said Dr. Ben Bobrow, the Medical Director for the ADHS Bureau of Emergency Medical Services. “Learning the basics of what to do is the key. If immediate defibrillation is not available, bystander initiated chest compressions are critical to improving survival. People that receive CPR are two to three times more likely to survive cardiac arrest than those that receive no initial help.
“Calling 911 and starting immediate, rapid, forceful chest compressions dramatically improves survival,” said Bobrow. Some basic knowledge about how to use Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) also saves lives, and lots of them,” said Bobrow. “And remember, all bystanders in Arizona that stop to help are protected from liability by Arizona’s Good Samaritan law A.R.S. § 36-2263.”
New research indicates that the most critical component of cardiopulmonary resuscitation is chest compressions (forceful, continuous, rapid chest compressions at the rate of approximately 100/minute). Chest compressions performed in this method result in the highest survival rates.
AEDs, which are becoming more prominent in public places, interpret a person’s heart rhythm and deliver a defibrillation shock with only minimal input from the operator. “AEDs come with easy to follow instructions inside,” Bobrow explained. “Anyone can help save a life using an AED, children as young as sixth graders are able to successfully use an AED.”
In Arizona, AEDs are registered by the SHARE Program which also provides training and medical direction for private and public entities using AEDs. The SHARE Program originated with Lani Clark at the University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center as a regional program. Clark collaborated with Dr. Ben Bobrow in January 2005 and the SHARE Program evolved into a statewide initiative now under the direction of the Arizona Department of Health Services Bureau of Emergency Medical Services.
The long-term goal of the SHARE Program is that Arizonans have the highest survival rate in the world for cardiac arrest. SHARE plans to reach this goal by providing public education about the signs and symptoms of cardiac arrest and helping people learn how to take immediate action. More information is available at
www.azshare.gov. A 12-minute training video on the website provides the basic information that Arizonan’s need to save hearts – and save lives.
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