What Would You Do if Someone Collapsed in Front of You and Stopped Breathing?

Emergency First Support CPR and First Aid

Imagine this: You’re out at a park, a mall, or even at home, and someone suddenly collapses in front of you. Their breathing stops, and the moments feel like hours as panic sets in. What would you do?

It’s a scenario no one wants to think about, but it’s one we all should prepare for. In those critical moments, knowing how to perform hands-only CPR (also known as compression-only CPR) could mean the difference between life and death.

Why Hands-Only CPR Matters

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a life-saving technique designed to keep oxygenated blood flowing to the brain and vital organs until professional help arrives. While traditional CPR combines chest compressions with rescue breaths, hands-only CPR focuses solely on chest compressions, making it simpler and easier for bystanders to perform in emergencies.

Studies show that hands-only CPR is just as effective as traditional CPR for sudden cardiac arrest in adults, especially in the first few minutes. Plus, it eliminates the hesitation some people feel about performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on a stranger.

How to Perform Hands-Only CPR in 8 Simple Steps

If someone collapses and stops breathing, here’s what to do:

  1. Assess the Situation

    • Check if the person is responsive. Tap their shoulders and shout, “Are you okay?”
    • Look for signs of breathing. If there’s no response and no breathing (or only gasping), it’s time to act.

  2. Call for Help

    • Dial 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately or ask someone nearby to call.

  3. Position the Person

    • Lay the person flat on their back on a firm surface.

  4. Find the Correct Hand Placement

    • Kneel beside the person and place the heel of one hand on the center of their chest, right over the breastbone.
    • Place your other hand on top of the first and interlock your fingers.

  5. Perform Chest Compressions

    • Push hard and fast, using your body weight to compress the chest about 2 inches deep.
    • Aim for a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute. You can use the beat of a song like Stayin Alive by the Bee Gees to keep the rhythm.

  6. Don’t Stop

    • Continue compressions until emergency responders arrive or someone with more advanced training takes over.

  7. Avoid Interruptions

    • Minimize pauses between compressions to keep blood circulating.

  8. Stay Calm and Focused

    • It’s natural to feel nervous, but your quick action can save a life.

When to Use Hands-Only CPR

Hands-only CPR is recommended for teens and adults who suddenly collapse and stop breathing. For infants, children, or victims of drowning or drug overdose, traditional CPR with rescue breaths may be more effective.

How to Learn CPR

While this guide provides a basic understanding, taking a certified CPR class is the best way to prepare for an emergency. American Heart Association has a lot of accredited CPR instructor like Tyler Davis from First Support CPR and First Aid Training that offer in-person training.

Final Thoughts

No one expects to face a life-or-death situation, but being prepared can make all the difference. By learning and practicing hands-only CPR, you’re equipping yourself with the skills to step up and potentially save a life.

The next time you ask yourself, “What would I do?” you’ll know the answer. Take the first step today by signing up for a CPR course because preparation saves lives.

Keep the Holidays Simple: Avoid Getting More Than You Bargained For.

The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and abundance, but it can also come with a fair share of stress, overspending, and even regret. From overloaded shopping carts to overbooked schedules, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters and find yourself with “more than you asked for” in the worst ways.

This year, let’s embrace the season with intention and mindfulness. Here’s how you can enjoy the holidays without taking on unnecessary burdens.

1. Keep Your Gift List in Check

The pressure to buy the “PERFECT” gift for everyone can lead to overspending and unnecessary stress.

Tips to Stay on Track:

  • Set a Budget: Determine how much you can afford to spend and stick to it. Use cash or prepaid cards if you’re tempted to overspend with credit.
  • Simplify Your List: Focus on meaningful gifts for close family and friends rather than feeling obligated to buy for everyone.
  • Give Experiences or DIY Gifts: Consider gifting a movie night, a homemade craft, or baked goods instead of material items.

Remember, thoughtful gestures often mean more than expensive presents.

2. Avoid Overcommitting Your Time

Holiday parties, school events, family gatherings, and volunteering can quickly overwhelm your calendar. While it’s wonderful to celebrate with loved ones, saying “YES” to everything can leave you exhausted.

How to Manage Your Time:

  • Prioritize Your Commitments: Decide which events are most important and politely decline others.
  • Schedule Downtime: Block off time for rest and relaxation so you can recharge.
  • Focus on Quality, Not Quantity: Spend meaningful time with a few loved ones rather than spreading yourself too thin.

Saying “NO” to some invites allows you to fully enjoy the moments you say “YES” to.

3. Be Mindful of Holiday Indulgences

The holidays are synonymous with delicious feasts and festive treats, but overindulgence can leave you feeling sluggish and uncomfortable.

Tips for Balanced Enjoyment:

  • Savor Treats in Moderation: Enjoy your favorite holiday dishes, but listen to your body and avoid overeating.
  • Stay Active: Make time for family walks, winter activities, or even a dance party at home to stay energized.
  • Hydrate: Drinking plenty of water can help you feel your best and curb unnecessary snacking.

Enjoying the season doesn’t mean overdoing it. it’s about finding joy in small, intentional choices.

4. Resist the Pressure to “Do It All”

Social media and societal expectations can make you feel like you need to decorate every corner of your home, host elaborate parties, or create Instagram-worthy moments at every turn.

How to Focus on What Matters:

  • Simplify Your Traditions: Choose a few meaningful traditions to focus on rather than trying to do everything.
  • Limit Social Media Scrolling: Don’t compare your holiday to curated posts online. Celebrate what’s real and unique to your family.
  • Delegate Tasks: Let family members help with cooking, decorating, or gift wrapping. it’s more fun as a team!

The holidays aren’t a competition; they’re a time to connect and celebrate in ways that bring you joy.

5. Reflect on What Truly Matters

It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season, but the holidays are ultimately about love, gratitude, and togetherness.

Ways to Stay Grounded:

  • Practice Gratitude: Take a moment each day to reflect on what you’re thankful for.
  • Give Back: Volunteer, donate, or find ways to help those in need. it’s a beautiful reminder of the season’s true spirit.
  • Focus on Relationships: Spend quality time with loved ones, even if it’s a simple chat over hot cocoa.

When you center your holidays around connection and gratitude, you’ll find fulfillment without the extra “baggage.”

Final Thoughts

The holidays don’t have to leave you feeling drained, overwhelmed, or burdened. By staying mindful of your spending, commitments, and priorities, you can enjoy the season without getting more than you bargained for.

This year, embrace simplicity, cherish the little moments, and let the holiday season bring you everything you truly need and nothing you don’t. 🎄✨

Pediatric First Aid CPR AED in San Jose California

Pediatric-First-Aid-CPR-AED-in-San-Jose-California

First Support CPR and First Aid Training offers Pediatric First Aid CPR AED Classes in San Jose California. We offer also offer First Aid, First Aid CPR AED, CPR AED and BLS Provider. Our classes are every Tuesday at 7:00 PM or if you wish, we can schedule a special class for you with a minimum of 3 persons. We are American Heart Association Authorized Training Center. After taking the CPR class, students will receive the certification card right away through email. CPR Classes take place at our own facilities rather than in the downtown area where students are required to park in the garage where they would have to pay for parking. Students shouldn’t have to pay for parking for a class that they are already paying for. Therefore parking is free when you take a CPR Class with us.

First Aid CPR AED Why it is important?

First aid is important because it is the temporary assistance an injured or unwell person needs until professional medical care arrived. The employers’ responsible to keep the workplace safe for employees and ensure that designated people are trained in First Aid, CPR, and AED for immediate and appropriate response during emergency situation. Studies shows that CPR, provided on time, can triple the chances of surviving.

Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are portable life-saving device use to treat people experiencing cardiac arrest. A cardiac arrest is a medical condition in which the heart stops beating suddenly and unexpectedly. The combination of CPR and AEDs saves lives when used in the first few minutes following the collapse from cardiac arrest.  training. 

The First Aid CPR AED is beneficial in the workplace. It can save a precious lives. An employee who knows how to perform CPR and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) can mean the difference between someone living and dying during a medical emergency. Having someone on-site to perform CPR or use an AED can keep a patient in cardiac arrest alive until professional medical personnel arrive on the scene. An onsite AED can be a valuable investment, especially if you opt for an affordable and user-friendly model that requires virtually no maintenance.

Employees that undergo First Aid CPR AED training are equipped with valuable knowledge that will allow them to be more watchful. This increased level of safety awareness and will lead to reduced reckless behavior and greater respect for health and safety protocols. During CPR training, employees will also learn about the possible causes of cardiac arrest and its long-term impact on the body. 

At home, Children are naturally active, curious, and fearless, which can lead to injuries and accidents. Every year, 9.2 million children go to emergency rooms for non-fatal injuries. Various situations may require CPR, like suffocation, smoke inhalation, near drownings, accidents, and poisonings. When parents take a CPR class, they take a big step in keeping their families safe.

Having knowledge of CPR and first aid allows you to act quickly and may even save a life. Keeping yourself safe means you are in a position to help others rather than needing help from others.

If you want to learn these life-saving skills you can reserve a seat in one of our classes. You can email us at info@firstsupportcpr.com or you can call us at (408)475-7724

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

The Pro’s and Con’s of Hot and Cold Shower

What to Know About the Pro’s and Con’s of a Hot and Cold Shower. Understanding when to take a hot or cold shower is essential. Regardless of the type of shower you prefer, it has a potential health benefits.

 

Cold Shower Pro’s

Cold showers are any showers with a water temperature below 70°F. It increase endorphins, Keep your hair shiny and your skin hydrated, and enhance blood circulation. They may also help fight off common illnesses. Cold showers are not a main source of treatment for any condition, but it may help improve symptom relief and general well-being.

 

Increases endorphins

One holistic method of treatment that’s gaining popularity is hydrotherapy. Taking a cold shower for up to 5 minutes, 2 to 3 times per week, was shown to help relieve symptoms of depression. Cold showers can work as a kind of gentle electroshock therapy. The cold water sends many electrical impulses to your brain. They jolt your system to increase alertness, clarity, and energy levels. Endorphins, which are sometimes called happiness hormones, are also released. This effect leads to feelings of well-being and optimism.

 

Keep your hair shiny and your skin hydrated.

Cold showers can temporarily tighten your pores and help you retain the natural oils in your skin and hair. Those prone to dry skin or concerned about dry, brittle hair might consider taking a cold shower often.

 

Improves Blood circulation

 

When we feel cold, our bodies naturally switch to survival mode and react by increasing our heart rate. The cold water puts our circulatory system into overdrive, causing our heart to pump more efficiently and improve blood circulation throughout our body. 

 

Helps fight off common illnesses

The shock of cold water in the bloodstream stimulates leukocytes. This means that taking cold showers can help you resist to common illnesses, like colds and the flu. Cold showers could also make the body more resistant to certain types of cancer.

 

Cold Shower Con’s

Cold showers might not be a good idea if you’re already cold, since the cooler temperature isn’t going to help warm you up by any means. It could actually make you even colder and increase the amount of time it will take for your body to warm back. They may not be a good idea if you’re sick, either. Initially, the cold temperature might be too hard on your immune system, so it’s best to ease into the cooler temperatures.

 

Hot Shower Pro’s

 

Hot Shower burn calories 

When you are soaking in a hot bath, you are burning a few calories while enjoying all the wonderful and relaxing benefits of a warm bath. Hot baths and showers should never be used as a substitute for exercise.

 

Hot showers provide relief from cold or respiratory symptoms

The heat from the water and the steam can help to open airways, loosen up phlegm and clear out your nasal passages.

 

Keep your skin clear and healthy 

Hot showers can help open up the pores of the skin, which allows you to clean out the trapped dirt and oil.

 

Hot showers are good for muscle relaxation

The muscles in your body may feel tense after a long day. Hot shower helps you relax, relieve body tension and can help soothe muscle fatigue.

 

Hot Shower Con’s

Hot showers can dry out and irritate your skin. Hot water causes damage to the keratin cells that are located on the most outer layer of our skin. By disrupting these cells, it creates dry skin and prevents the cells from locking in moisture.

Hot shower can also make certain skin conditions worse. Higher temperatures make it easier for the skin to dry out and worsen conditions like eczema.

Hot showers can cause you to itch. The heat can cause mast cells (which contain histamine) to release their contents in the skin and cause itching.

They can increase your blood pressure, too. If you have problems with high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease, taking a shower that’s too hot can make these conditions worse.

Which Shower type you think is best for you?

Avoid taking showers that are too cold or too hot that may harm your health. Knowing the Pro’s and Con’s of Hot and Cold shower before deciding where to turn the shower nozzle is important. This helpful guide can assist you in determining whether you should take a cold or hot shower. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is Holiday Heart Syndrome?

Holiday heart syndrome, also known as alcohol-induced atrial arrhythmias, is a syndrome defined by an irregular heartbeat associated with high levels of ethanol consumption. Holiday heart syndrome was discovered in 1978 when Philip Ettinger discovered the connection between arrythmia and alcohol consumption. It received its common name as it is associated with the binge drinking common during the holidays. It is unclear how common this syndrome is. 5-10% of cases of atrial fibrillation may be related to this condition, but it could be as high 63%

Symptoms and complications

The most common symptoms people with HHS have are heart palpitations and arrhythmia. People usually present with atrial fibrillation; however, other forms of arrythmia may be developed, such as atrial tachycardia, premature ventricular contraction, and atrial flutter. Patients with HHS also frequently report precordial pain, sweating, anxiety, shortness of breath, and syncope. Strokes and cardiac arrest can also occur in people with this syndrome. People with Holiday heart syndrome have a heightened risk of dilated cardiomyopathy, rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney injury, and electrical injuries. The heightened level of acetaldehyde this syndrome causes can result in mitochondrial dysfunction, valvular disease, oxidative damage, cell death, lowered effects of cardioprotective molecules, and an altered calcium transport and protein synthesis system. If left untreated, it can result in thrombosis, pneumonia, cirrhosis, and heart failure. For most patients with HHS the syndrome only lasts 24 hours. However for 26% of people with this syndrome, they reexperience an episode of it within the next year. To treat patients with this condition cardioversion or other treatments for arrhythmia are used.

Avoid Binge Drinking To Lower Your Risk of Holiday Heart Syndrome

Because drinking is so embedded in American culture, the general population often doesn’t recognize the true effect that alcohol intake has on the body, says Brown. That’s especially true for people with underlying heart disease.

The simplest way to avoid holiday heart syndrome is to limit your holiday drinking. The CDC recommends no more than one drink a day for women and two for men on days when alcohol is consumed, which shouldn’t be every day. But even staying within those limits may increase the risk of dying from certain cancers and cardiac disease, the CDC says.

Excessive amounts of alcohol can have big effects on the brain, kidneys, and heart. Limit your alcohol use this holiday season.

 

How is holiday heart syndrome treated?

It depends on your overall health. If your health already isn’t the best or unstable, your doctor will likely do cardioversion. This is when they use quick, low-energy shocks to reset your heart rhythm. They’ll also suggest you stop drinking altogether. Even if you can’t stop completely, studies show drinking less than 80 milligrams of alcohol per day may lower your risk of holiday heart.

If your overall health is good, the doctor will treat your arrhythmia and suggest you stop drinking.

6 Different Kind of Foods to eat to Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease

6 Foods to eat to Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease

New research shows that making six key foods a regular part of your diet may lower your risk of having a cardiovascular disease.

A study published in the European Heart Journal, researchers analyzed data from six international studies that included 245,000 participants—with and without prior cardiovascular disease—from 80 countries. They used a diet score from the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study, ongoing research run by the Population Research Health Institute.

The researchers found that having a diet filled with whole fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, fish, and whole-fat dairy products helped lower a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes.

The biggest gains in avoiding premature cardiovascular disease and deaths globally is expected to occur by increasing the intake of healthy foods to a moderate degree, especially in poorer world regions.

Researchers highlighted that the study was global in scope instead of centered on high-income or Western countries, the focus of many previous diet studies. He said those studies may not apply to people who live in lower to middle-income countries, where inadequate intake rather than excess consumption of certain foods may cause health issues.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally, resulting in an estimated 17.9 million deaths each year, according to the World Health Organization. A third of those deaths occur prematurely in people younger than 70.3 An unhealthy diet lacking protective foods such as vegetables and whole grains is considered a main cardiovascular disease risk factor.

This study emphasizes the power of nutrition, and that low intakes of heart healthy foods are associated with poor outcomes.

Based on their findings, the researchers recommend eating two to three daily servings of both fruit and vegetables, two daily servings of dairy, and one daily serving of nuts.

The score also includes three to four weekly servings of legumes and two to three weekly servings of fish or a Possible substitutes included whole grains at one serving daily, and unprocessed red meat or poultry at one serving daily.

This study differs from other papers because researchers focused on a broad range of natural foods eaten in moderation rather than a diet limited to a small number of foods.

Their findings suggest it is better to consume key quality foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, fish, and dairy rather than focus on limiting foods high in saturated fat such as whole fat dairy and meat. Including certain foods while not limiting others may make the PURE diet easier to stick to than other diets, ultimately resulting in better cardiovascular outcomes.

The most interesting aspect of this study is finding out that two servings per day of whole-fat milk, yogurt, or cheese can be included with other beneficial foods as part of a nutritious diet.

Researchers advise that to much consumption of saturated fat which often comes from animal products increases the risk for cardiovascular disease. We may need to re-evaluate how we advise about whole-fat [dairy] products but I still think that it is more [that] the diet was overall better.

The study also provided more evidence that increasing consumption of foods known to be cardio-protective like fish, nuts, vegetables, and legumes does indeed protect heart health.

You need to eat this 6 kinds of foods to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease

An inclusive plant-based diet is a great choice for heart disease prevention, said Berger. This type of diet focuses on whole plant foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts. However, dairy and quality protein from animals can be included too.

For example, meals could feature a large portion of colorful fruits and vegetables, quality protein from fish, meat, nuts, and/or legumes, fiber rich whole grains such farro, brown rice, or quinoa, and a source of dairy a couple times per day. There is no one magic food or property of one food that by itself protects the heart. It is what we eat regularly that will affect heart health and overall health.

There’s no need to worry if you can’t eat nuts, fish, or any of the other recommended foods identified in the study, experts told Health. Not having them in your diet doesn’t necessarily mean you’re at greater risk for cardiovascular disease.

Researchers observed the biggest health gains with a diet score of four out of a maximum of six, with modest additional health benefits with scores above four. Improving intake in even three or four of these foods would produce a marked protection.

Nuts can also be replaced with pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, or ground flaxseed, said Gulati. Additionally, algal oil supplementation can fill in nutrient gaps for omega-3s.

Researchers noted that a heart-healthy diet doesn’t include large amounts of foods high in saturated fats and should include no trans fats, such as fried foods and packaged baked goods. They said that many processed foods tend to be a mainstay of diets worldwide because they are relatively cheap and easy to access. These foods don’t make as much room for heart-healthy foods in a person’s diet.

We all need variety in our diet, and joy with the meals we eat. The important element is overall diet quality from nutritious foods.

Fact

  •  
  • 1.) A diet filled with six key foods can help lower your risk of cardiovascular disease and early death, according to new research.
  • 2.) Eating whole fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, fish, and whole-fat dairy products can help lower a person’s risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes.
  • 3.) Researchers say the new study emphasizes the power of nutrition, and how intakes of heart-healthy foods can influence health outcomes.

10 Safety Tips for Trick or Treaters this Halloween

Halloween ast becoming one of the most popular holidays in this country, masses of little superheroes, cartoon and television characters will soon be out in their neighborhoods for trick or treat fun. First Support CPR has ten tips’ parents can follow to help keep the kids safe while enjoying the festivities.

  1. Trick-or-treaters need to see and be seen.
    – Use face makeup instead of masks which make seeing difficult.
    – Give trick-or-treaters a flashlight to light their way.
    – Add reflective tape to costumes and trick-or-treat bags.
    – Have everyone wear light-colored clothing.
  2. Use flame-resistant costumes.
  3. Make sure adults know where the kids are going. A parent or responsible adult should accompany young children door-to-door.
  4. Be cautious around animals, especially dogs.
  5. Walk, don’t run.
  6. Only visit homes that have a porch light on. Accept treats at the door – never go inside.
  7. Walk only on the sidewalks, not in the street.
    – If no sidewalk is available, walk at the edge of the roadway, facing traffic.
    – Look both ways before crossing the street, and cross only at the corner.
    – Don’t cut across yards or use alleys.
    – Don’t cross between parked cars.
    – Drivers – use extra caution. The youngsters may forget to look both ways before crossing.
  8. A grown-up should check the goodies before eating.
    – Make sure to remove loose candy, open packages and choking hazards.
    – Discard any items with brand names that you are not familiar with.
    If you are planning to welcome trick-or-treaters to your home, follow these safety steps:
  9. Light the area well so young visitors can see.
  10. Sweep leaves from your sidewalks and steps. Clear your porch or front yard of obstacles someone could trip over.

Obesity a Factor for Heart Failure

More than 13,000 people has found that even after accounting for such risk factors as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, so-called morbid obesity appears to stand alone as a standout risk for heart failure, but not for other major types of heart disease.

In a report on the research, published online on July 28 in the Journal of the American Heart Association, says morbidly obese individuals were more than two times more likely to have heart failure than comparable people with a healthy body mass index, after accounting for high blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels. And yet, after accounting for these factors, people with morbid obesity weren’t any more likely to have a stroke or coronary heart disease — basically disease of the heart’s arteries,” due in part to inflammation and an accumulation of plaque in the heart and surrounding blood vessels.

The researchers caution that their study suggests a strong, independent link between severe obesity and heart failure but does not definitively determine cause and effect.

Nevertheless, they say, their findings suggest that while treating hypertension, diabetes and other conditions associated with obesity may be sufficient to prevent coronary heart disease and stroke, this approach may not be enough to prevent an increased risk of heart failure, for which weight loss may be the only foolproof, currently available preventive measure. The federal government estimates that one in three Americans is obese and more than 5 percent are morbidly obese — defined as a body mass index of greater than 35. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 6 million people in the United States are living with heart failure, a condition of aging marked by enlarged and/or weakened heart muscle and diminished blood-pumping efficiency, resulting in shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, trouble breathing when lying down, and swelling in the ankles and feet. Overall, there is a 50 percent mortality rate for people with heart failure five years after diagnosis.

Obesity in our study has emerged as one of the least explained and likely most challenging risk factors for heart failure because there is no magic pill to treat it, no drugs that can easily address the problem like there are for high cholesterol and high blood pressure, “Even with diet and exercise, people struggle to lose weight and keep it off, and for the morbidly obese, the struggle is often insurmountable.

Although it isn’t completely clear why obesity alone is linked to heart failure independent of risk factors and not to stroke or coronary heart disease, there is evidence to suggest that extra body weight exerts a higher metabolic demand on the heart and that fat cells in the abdomen may even release molecules toxic to heart cells.

Obesity has long been known to increase the likelihood of high blood pressure, elevated blood cholesterol and diabetes — all established risk factors for heart and blood vessel diseases. Treating and controlling these conditions have formed the bedrock strategies for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

To learn if this was truly the case for all types of cardiovascular disease, researchers looked at the medical records of 13,730 participants  in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study who had body mass indexes in healthy ranges or higher at the start of the study and no initial heart disease. The group was composed of 63.8 percent women and 16.9 percent African-Americans. The average age was 54, and body mass index ranged from 18 to 50. All were followed for approximately 23 years to assess links between body mass index and heart failure, coronary heart disease or stroke.

The records also included data for participants’ height, weight, and levels of blood sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides, along with smoking status, alcohol use, professions and exercise levels.

After the final participant follow-up in 2012, there were 2,235 recorded cases of heart failure, 1,653 cases of coronary heart disease and 986 strokes.

In their initial assessment, the Johns Hopkins researchers controlled for differences that might be due to age, sex, race, education level, career, smoking history, exercise and alcohol consumption. Severe obesity was associated with a nearly fourfold higher risk of heart failure and about a twofold higher risk for both coronary heart disease and stroke compared with rates for those with a normal body mass index.

Next, the researchers controlled for other heart disease risk factors, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. After this adjustment, Ndumele’s team no longer saw an increase in risk for coronary heart disease or stroke in people with obesity. However, the increased risk for heart failure remained. For every five-unit higher body mass index, there was an almost 30 percent higher risk of developing heart failure across all participants. 

Even if the patients have normal blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure levels, it may still develop heart failure if they are severely obese. We need to improve our strategies for heart failure prevention in this population.

People with Disabilities Can Learn CPR

Learning high-quality CPR can be difficult for those people with disabilities even to a non-disabled people. Doing compressions at a rate of 100-120 BPM, having the strength to push down 2 inches in an adult victim, the endurance to provide CPR for minutes on end, and the ability to kneel for a long period of time. These are all challenges to overcome when learning CPR and it’s the job of the instructor to help students find the strength to overcome these challenges.

But what happens when your student is disabled? What if they are pregnant? Or deaf? Or missing a limb? Or do they simply have bad knees? How do you teach a student CPR who may not believe it is possible themselves? Thankfully, all it takes to save a life using CPR is a willingness to learn and an instructor who is willing to help students adapt to challenges they may face.

Training centers adapt to teach the disabled

Currently, CPR certification is given to students who can properly perform high-quality CPR and accurately use an AED. This means chest compressions of 100 – 120 BPM, a compression depth of 2 inches on adults and a 1/3 of the chest diameter in children, a chest compression fraction of greater than 80%, and no excessive ventilations, according to the American Heart Association. You also must understand how to properly use an AED to shock and revive a victim.

Unfortunately, some people with disabilities may not be able to properly learn and/or perform CPR in the intended way to earn that certification. However, that doesn’t mean there is no hope. Instructors can – and should – adapt their teaching methods to fit the needs of all of their students.

“There is nothing that you cannot modify to make [CPR training] capable for someone to be empowered to do this,” said Tammy Turner, the National Training Center Coordinator, an American Heart Association Training Center, since 2014 and an instructor since 1996.

“You have to have a different way to teach someone who is deaf…someone who is blind are not going to see the visual aspect, but you can paint pictures in their mind. They’re very capable. Also, have CPR training be something they can physically feel.”

Even if someone can’t physically perform the requirements, they can still understand the concepts of CPR. Leadership during an emergency is just as important as those doing the ‘heavy lifting.’ The American Heart Association understands and will grant an Advisor: BLS CPR card to those who perform verbal recognition of the required knowledge and skills for CPR.

Students with disabilities may have some limitations, but many can overcome these potential limitations with technology and creative thinking.

When it comes to technology, accessibility is becoming more important than ever. Large companies like Google, Yahoo, Apple, and others are leading the way to make technology more accessible for those with disabilities, such as smartphone screen magnification or eye tracking for those who are paralyzed

First Support CPR offers CPR classes every Tuesday at 7:15 PM. We offer BLS, First Aid, CPR AED, First Aid CPR AED and Pediatric First Aid CPR AED. We also offer an offsite training. If you have any questions, you can email us at info@firstsupportcpr.com or call at ‪(408) 475-7724‬.