Summer safety starts with hands only CPR

Summer brings rest, relaxation and fun, but it can also be a time of increased risk for our hearts. Extreme heat may increase incidents of cardiac arrest and an average of 33 drownings occur in the U.S. each day, one-third of which are fatal. Knowing cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR could be the key to saving someone from cardiac arrest or drowning. CPR, especially if performed immediately, could double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival.

 The American Heart Association is recognizing National CPR and AED Awareness Week from June 1– 7 with reminders about the importance of staying safe and prepared this summer. Each year, more than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) occur in the United States and fewer than half of these people receive the immediate help that they need before professional help arrives. The American Heart Association, the world’s leading voluntary organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke, is working to increase the number of bystanders who use CPR in an emergency.

As summertime activities increase the exposure of people of all ages to risks, it’s even more important to be trained on CPR. You could be saving the life of someone you love. A simple one-minute video shows you what you need to know to perform Hands Only CPR.

To be ready for a safe summer, the American Heart Association recommends the following:

  • Learn CPR. For drowning, the American Heart Association recommends rescue breaths along with compressions.
  • Remember Life Jackets. Half of all boating deaths could be prevented with their use.
  • Learn to Swim. Drowning is the second-leading cause of death in children between ages 1 and 4.
  • Family Safety Plan. It’s important for everyone in the family to be trained in CPR.
  • Secure the Pool. Install fencing with self-closing gates at least 4 feet high to separate the pool from house and yard.
  • Teach Safety. Talk about risky behavior such as diving or swimming in unfamiliar water, and alcohol or drug use while in or near water.
  • Clear Out Pool Toys. Make sure children aren’t tempted to play unsupervised.

In 2009, the American Heart Association launched a nationwide Hands-Only CPR campaign to raise awareness about this life-saving skill. Since 2012, over 10.5 million people have been trained in Hands-Only CPR via events, training kiosks and video education with the support of Anthem Foundation.

Hypertension Symptoms and Causes (High Blood Pressure)

What is blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the pressure of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. Arteries carry blood from your heart to other parts of your body. Your blood pressure normally rises and falls throughout the day.

What do blood pressure numbers mean?

Blood pressure is measured using two numbers:

The first number, called systolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats.

The second number, called diastolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats.

If the measurement reads 120 systolic and 80 diastolic, you would say, “120 over 80,” or write, “120/80 mmHg.

What are normal blood pressure numbers?

A normal blood pressure level is less than 120/80 mmHg.

What is high blood pressure (hypertension)?

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is blood pressure that is higher than normal. Your blood pressure changes throughout the day based on your activities. Having blood pressure measures consistently above normal may result in a diagnosis of high blood pressure (or hypertension).

The higher your blood pressure levels, the more risk you have for other health problems, such as heart disease, heart attack and stroke. 

Your health care team can diagnose high blood pressure and make treatment decisions by reviewing your systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels and comparing them to levels found in certain guidelines.

The guidelines used to diagnose high blood pressure may differ from health care professional to health care professional:

  • Some health care professionals diagnose patients with high blood pressure if their blood pressure is consistently 140/90 mm Hg or higher.2 This limit is based on a guideline released in 2003, as seen in the table below.
  • Other health care professionals diagnose patients with high blood pressure if their blood pressure is consistently 130/80 mm Hg or higher.1 This limit is based on a guideline released in 2017, as seen in the table below.

The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults (2017 Guideline)

Normalsystolic: less than 120 mm Hg
diastolic: less than 80 mm Hg
Elevatedsystolic: 120–129 mm Hg
diastolic: less than 80 mm Hg

 

If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, talk with your health care team about your blood pressure levels and how these levels affect your treatment plan.

What are the signs and symptoms of high blood pressure?

High blood pressure usually has no warning signs or symptoms, and many people do not know they have it. Measuring your blood pressure is the only way to know whether you have high blood pressure.

What causes high blood pressure?

High blood pressure usually develops over time. It can happen because of unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as not getting enough regular physical activity. Diabetes and being obese, can also increase the risk for developing high blood pressure. High blood pressure also occurs during pregnancy.

What problems does high blood pressure cause?

High blood pressure can damage your health in many ways. It can seriously hurt important organs like your heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes.

The good news is that, in most cases, you can manage your blood pressure to lower your risk for serious health problems.

Heart Attack and Heart Disease

High blood pressure can damage your arteries by making them less elastic, which decreases the flow of blood and oxygen to your heart and leads to heart disease. In addition, decreased blood flow to the heart can cause:

  • Chest pain, also called angina.
  • Heart Attack, which happens when the blood supply to your heart is blocked and heart muscle begins to die without enough oxygen. The longer the blood flow is blocked, the greater the damage to the heart.
  • Heart Failure, a condition that means your heart can’t pump enough blood and oxygen to your other organs.

Stroke and Brain Problems

High blood pressure can cause the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the brain to burst or be blocked, causing a Stroke. Brain cells die during a stroke because they do not get enough oxygen. Stroke can cause serious disabilities in speech, movement, and other basic activities. A stroke can also kill you.

Having high blood pressure, especially in midlife, is linked to having poorer cognitive function and dementia later in life. 

Kidney Disease

Adults with diabetes, high blood pressure, or both have a higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease than those without these conditions.

How do I know if I have high blood pressure?

There’s only one way to know if you have high blood pressure: Have a doctor or other health professional measure it. It is quick and painless.

High blood pressure is called the “silent killer” because it usually has no warning signs or symptoms, and many people do not know they have it.

What can I do to prevent or manage high blood pressure?

Many people with high blood pressure can lower their blood pressure into a healthy range or keep their numbers in a healthy range by making lifestyle changes. Talk with your health care team about

  • Getting at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week (about 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week)
  • Not smoking
  • Eating a healthy diet, including limiting sodium (salt) and alcohol
  • Keeping a healthy weight
  • Managing stress

In addition to making positive lifestyle changes, some people with

 high blood pressure need to take medicine to manage their blood pressure. 

Talk with your health care team right away if you think you have high blood pressure or if you’ve been told you have high blood pressure but do not have it under control.

By taking action to lower your blood pressure, you can help protect  yourself against heart disease and stroke, also sometimes called cardiovascular disease (CVD).

June is CPR and AED Awareness, National Safety Month, LGBTQ+ and Pride Month

CPR and AED Awareness Week is June 1-7

Only about 48 percent of people who experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest receive the immediate help that they need before professional help arrives. 
 
CPR, especially if performed immediately, could double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival. 

Watch the Hands-Only CPR instructional video and share it with the important people in your life.

More June Calendar Highlights

6/1-6/7 – CPR and AED Awareness Week

6/6 – National Cancer Survivors Day

6/14 – Flag Day | World Blood Donor Day | National Call your Doctor Day

6/14-6/21 – Men’s Health Week (6/16 – Check In and Check Up for Your Health with Sybil Wilkes will focus on Men’s Health)

6/17 – National Eat Your Vegetables Day

6/19 – Father’s Day | Juneteenth | World Sickle Cell Day

6/21 – Summer Solstice

6/23 – National Hydration Day | Check In and Check Up for Your Health with Sybil Wilkes will focus on heart health and mental well-being in the LGBTQ+ community