Facts about Atrial Fibrillation you should be aware of and Louisville BLS Certification

AFib or AF that stands for Atrial Fibrillation is the most common type of irregular heartbeat that affects more than 5 million adults in the United States. It is a condition that causes the upper chambers of the heart to beat extremely fast and irregularly. Before going ahead, here’s some information on the life-saving CPR procedure.

CPR procedure comprises chest compressions and rescue breaths. Properly administering the techniques can help you revive the life of a victim involved in a cardiac arrest or heart attack. Most cardiac arrests occur due to a dangerous type of arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat by the name of ventricular fibrillation that affects the ticker’s ventricles. V-fib may happen several times a day in some people which requires immediate medical attention because sustained V-fib can lead to cardiac arrest and death. The symptoms of V-fib include fainting, acute shortness of breath, near fainting or transient dizziness and cardiac arrest.

Treating V-fib:

There are 2 stages when it comes to treating V-fib where the first tries to stop your V-fib immediately to restore a blood pressure and pulse whereas the second stage focuses on reducing your chances of developing V-fib in the future. Treatments include CPR, defibrillation, medication, catheter ablation and left cardiac sympathetic denervation. We are going to focus on the first two:

CPR- The first response to V-fib may be cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) which keeps the blood moving until advanced care. Select a certified training center for acquiring training such as the AHA certified CPRLouisville in Kentucky. The programs offered include Basic Life Support or BLS certification Louisville, Pediatric Advanced Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support and HeartSaver CPR (for people who do not have a medical background).

Defibrillation- You will need this during or immediately after the V-fib which involves application of electric shock that can correct the signals that are telling your heart muscles to quiver instead of pump.

Things to know about AFib:

1.      Age is the greatest risk factor where one in 10 people over the age of 80 having the heart condition with the other common risk factors being cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and family history.

2.      The condition may or may not cause symptoms with the common symptoms being irregular and rapid heartbeat, dizziness, heart palpitations, weakness, fainting, fatigue, shortness of breath.

3.      The condition is diagnosed with an electrocardiogram that can be performed during an office visit.

4.      AFib can be controlled with medications in most cases. However, it can be treated with catheter or surgical ablation if medications do not work or cause side effects.

5.      The risk of stroke increases by fivefold in an individual with AFib. Patients should consult with their doctors if their risk of stroke is high enough to warrant being placed on blood thinners.

Meet your doctor at the earliest possible time if you have any symptoms of AFib who’ll talk to you about the best approach for management of the condition.

At CPR Louisville, you can either register for a class online or call on 502-804-6132 for the same. 

Heart Health Mistakes by Women and Tips to Avoid Them

There’s a common misconception among people that heart or cardiovascular disease is “a guy thing” despite the fact that it is the number one cause of death for women in USA. Women are eight times more likely to die of heart disease which highlights the significance for them to understand their risk factors to keep cardiac emergencies at bay.

Every individual should be CPR trained. The procedure is a combination of chest compressions and rescue breaths. Proper administration of the techniques can revive the life of a victim involved in a cardiac arrest or heart attack. Choose a certified training center for acquiring training such as the AHA certified CPR Louisville in Kentucky. Both theoretical and practical training are imparted to the students. There are courses for both healthcare and non-healthcare providers.

The CPR courses for healthcare providers include Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support. Learn more about a BLS certificationLouisville program.

Basic Life Support Classes- This AHA CPR class is required for healthcare providers working in hospitals, private practices, dental facilities, and enrolled in healthcare and medically related college programs. CPR Louisville allows students plenty of hands on practice and time to master the skills of BLS for Healthcare Providers.

Heart-health mistakes made by women:

1.      It’s great to be in tune with your body. Unfortunately, it is a tendency on the part of most women that they believe they’ll know when they need to get their blood pressure checked. There are many women who quite often cite having high blood pressure or high cholesterol as reasons behind feeling dizzy. But you won’t exactly know when you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol—these are silent conditions. It is advisable to get your blood pressure, blood cholesterol and blood sugar measured regularly by your doctor to flag your risk of future heart trouble.

2.      Having a treadmill or bike is great but it’s important to use it often, and that’s where many women go wrong. They tend to embark on a new, not-so-fun exercise program and so, after an initial push they slack off. Choose an activity that’s fun for you in order for you to do it often, like walking around the mall or running with a friend.

3.      Many women use cigarettes for weight control which is wrong because smoking is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease. The best way to keep your weight in check is through diet and exercise. Do not even count on e-cigarettes as they may not be as healthy as initially hoped. Keeping your weight in a normal range can be highly beneficial for your ticker.

4.      Heart attack or myocardial infarction can present differently in women than it does in men. Women tend to ignore other danger signs in expectation of a chest-crushing episode. Consult with your doctor if you notice nausea, abdominal pain, difficulty breathing or other bothersome symptoms that are unusual for you.

5.      Women have this perception that certain health problems ended with their child’s birth. Remember, your heart, arteries and other organs are still inside you although your baby may not be. Your risk for heart problems is much greater later in life if you have diabetes that developed during pregnancy, gestational diabetes or hypertensive disease of pregnancy, such as gestational hypertension or preeclampsia. Inform your new doctor of your full health history so that he or she gets the necessary information to consider your individual needs.

At CPR Louisville, you can either register for a CPR class online, or call on 502-804-6132 for the same.

Physical Activity for Heart Health and Louisville Basic Life Support Classes

Keeping physically active works wonders for the overall health in many ways especially the heart. Exercise helps to lower blood pressure and improves blood cholesterol which directly impacts the condition of your arteries. Apart from that, exercise also reduces the risk of diabetes, one of the leading risk factors of cardiovascular disease. Physical activity along with a heart-healthy diet makes it very easy to maintain a healthy body weight. For many conditions, exercise is as powerful as some medications and what’s more, it is very easy to be active.

Like we have already mentioned, exercise keeps heart disease at bay which lowers the chances of occurrence of life-threatening cardiac emergencies like a cardiac arrest or heart attack. These are life-threatening emergencies and a victim would require immediate treatment for survival. The most appropriate form of treatment is proper application of the CPR procedure that combines chest compressions and rescue breaths. Always choose a certified training site for obtaining training such as the AHA certified CPR Louisville in Kentucky. Courses for both healthcare as well as non-healthcare providers are offered.

Read to know more about a BLS certification Louisville program:

Basic Life Support Classes- The first time BLS class, also known as the Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers class is geared toward training individuals currently working in healthcare or planning a career in healthcare. This class has been designed for nurses, CRNAs, paramedics, EMTs, medical technicians/assistants, dental hygienists/assistants, physical therapists, occupational therapists, nursing students, medical students, respiratory therapists and all healthcare and medically related fields.

Learn:

1.      Adult, child and infant CPR.

2.      Using an Automated External Defibrillator or AED device.

3.      Using and performing rescue breaths using a bag-valve mask (this device is found in hospitals, offices, and many other healthcare facilities).

Exercise or Physical Activity for heart health:

1.      The recommendation to exercise 150 minutes per week is the minimum needed and considered safe and good for ticker-health for most people. Ideally, you should exercise most days of the week that for instance could be 30 minutes a day, five days a week. But, short bursts of activity, say 10-15 minutes at a stretch, with the objective of accumulating 150 minutes a week can also benefit your ticker.

2.      Consult with your doctor before starting especially if you have a history of a chronic disease such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease or cancer, among other conditions to be sure that you are cleared for exercise. It is advisable to start a moderate intensity exercise program with medical clearance which most healthy people do.

3.      As you work out, pay attention to your body. Regardless of the exercise type, you want to feel your heart pumping—but there should be no chest pain or pressure, and no extreme shortness of breath when you finish. Stop immediately if you’re concerned and discuss your experience with your doctor. It can be helpful to track your progress over the long-term.

4.      Exercise guidelines recommend muscle-strengthening activities like lifting weights and resistance training in addition to 150 minutes of heart-pumping aerobic work like brisk walking, jogging and cycling that primarily improves the ticker and circulation, whereas the former improves muscle strength, maintains higher levels of muscle tissue and can help strengthen the bones. Both exercise types help the body better process blood sugar and can improve cholesterol levels.

The bottom line is exercise in ways you love, it’s not necessary to join a gym to move more. You can find both pleasure and success simply by walking. Find out what you enjoy that involves moving: dancing, playing a team sport, walking and talking with a friend, etc.

At CPR Louisville, you can either sign up for a course online or call on 502-804-6132 for the same.

Valuable Information on Coronary Artery Disease and Louisville CPR Classes for Emergencies

Like all other tissues in the body, the heart muscle needs oxygenated blood to function, and oxygen-depleted blood must be carried away. The coronary arteries supply blood to the heart muscle that run along outside of the ticker and have small branches that supply blood to the ticker muscle. Any coronary artery disorder or disease can reduce the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the ticker, which may lead to a heart attack (myocardial infraction-MI) or possible death. Inflammation and a buildup of plaque in the inner lining of the artery causes it to narrow or become blocked, this is Atherosclerosis and is the most common cause of cardiovascular disease. Our discussion today will revolve around the risk factors, symptoms, treatments for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD).

Cardiovascular disease is the leading reason behind the occurrence of MI or a sudden cardiac arrest. Immediate treatment is what can revive the life of such a victim. The most appropriate form of treatment is proper application of the CPR procedure. The procedure is a combination of chest compressions and rescue breaths. Regardless of your professional background, make sure to train in the procedure for facing emergencies efficiently. If you belong to the Louisville region in Kentucky and looking to sign up for a CPR class Louisville, don’t look beyond the AHA certified CPR Louisville. There are courses for both healthcare and non-healthcare providers.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) and its Risk Factors:

CAD is characterized by inflammation and the buildup of fatty deposits along the innermost layer of the coronary arteries that may develop in childhood and continue to thicken and enlarge throughout the life span. This thickening, called atherosclerosis, narrows the arteries thus decreasing or completely blocking the flow of blood to the ticker. According to the American Heart Association, 16 million Americans suffer from CAD--the number one killer of both men and women in the U.S.

The risk factors include smoking, high LDL cholesterol, high triglycerides levels, and low HDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, high-saturated fat diet, family history. Prevent illness and death from CAD by controlling these risk factors.

CAD Symptoms:

The symptoms depend on the severity of the disease, some people have no symptoms, some have episodes of mild chest pain or angina and some have more severe chest pain. An individual will experience chest pain called angina if too little oxygenated blood reaches the heart. The blood supply completely cut off results in a myocardial infarction, and the heart muscle begins to die. Symptoms include

1.      Shortness of breath

2.      Heaviness, tightness, pressure, or pain in the chest behind the breastbone

3.      Fatigue and weakness

4.      Pain spreading to the arms, shoulders, jaw, neck or back.

Diagnosis:

Tests for CAD includes Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), Stress test (also called treadmill or exercise ECG), cardiac catheterization and nuclear scanning.

Treatment:

Risk Factors Modification- Smoking, high cholesterol levels, high blood glucose levels, lack of exercise, poor dietary habits, being overweight, and high blood pressure are the risk factors that you can change.

Medicines- Medicines that may be used to treat CAD includes Antiplatelets, Antihyperlipidemic and Antihypertensives.

Coronary Angioplasty and Coronary Artery Bypass (most commonly referred to as simply "bypass surgery" or CABG, this surgery is often done in people who have chest pain (angina) and coronary artery disease.)

Hope, you find this information to be useful.

At CPR Louisville, you can either register for a class online or call on 502-804-6132 for the same. 

Heart Health Benefits of Cashews and Louisville ACLS Classes

Cashews are a type of nut with sweet flavor and are sold both raw or roasted and salted or unsalted. They are also used to make dairy alternatives like cashew milk, cashew-based cheese and cashew-based cream sauces and sour cream. Before talking about the nutritional values of cashews and their health benefits, we’d like to throw light on the life-saving CPR techniques.

The Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation procedures are a series of chest compressions and rescue breaths. Administering the techniques in the ratio of 30:2 can revive the life of a victim involved in a cardiac emergency like a cardiac arrest or heart attack. Every individual should be trained in the techniques. It is important to choose a certified training center for acquiring training such as the AHA certified CPR Louisville in Kentucky. The courses for healthcare providers include Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support. Here’s some information on an “ACLS class Louisville”.

ACLS Training Classes- This class is designed for those who work in emergency response, intensive care units, the emergency department, anesthesia units, telemetry departments, cardiac catheterization labs and more. Classes are led by experienced AHA ACLS instructors who are focused on student success, who work hard to ensure a stress–free classroom environment.

The course fee is $299. The fees are different for different CPR courses.

When it comes to nutrition, cashews contain vitamins C and B, including 7 micrograms (mcg) of DFE folate and are high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats and are a good source of protein.

Benefits of Cashew Consumption:

Heart Health- Cardiovascular disease is the leading reason behind the occurrence of a cardiac arrest or heart attack. The biggest risk factors of cardiovascular disease are high blood pressure and high cholesterol. The monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids found in cashews can help decrease LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels which reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and heart attack. According to a study, the risk of coronary heart disease was 37 percent lower in people who consumed nuts compared with people who never or seldom consumed nuts. They are a good source of magnesium that plays a key role in over 300 enzymatic reactions within the body like synthesis of fatty acids and proteins and food metabolism. Magnesium deficiency is associated with insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, coronary heart disease and osteoporosis.

Moreover, higher intake of calcium without sufficient magnesium increases the risk of arterial calcification and cardiovascular disease, as well as kidney stones.

Gallstones- Frequent nut consumption is linked to a reduced risk of needing surgery to remove the gallbladder.

Bone Health- Cashews are an excellent source of copper. The recommended intake of copper each day is 900 micrograms for adults and one ounce of cashews contain 622 micrograms of copper. Copper deficiency is linked to lower bone mineral density and an increased risk of osteoporosis. Additionally, copper plays a huge role in the maintenance of collagen and elastin, major structural components of our bodies. The body will not be able to replace damaged connective tissue or the collagen that makes up the scaffolding for bone if it is copper deficient which can lead to joint dysfunction because of bodily tissues beginning to breaking down.

Weight Management- According to researchers, eating nuts does not lead to a weight gain, and helps maintain a healthy weight.

At CPR Louisville, you can either register for a course online or call on 502-804-6132 for the same.

Vital Things about Bigeminy and Louisville CPR Classes

Most people will experience bigeminy at some point in their lives and mostly, it isn’t a matter of concern. Bigeminy, basically is the technical term for the sensation of the heart skipping a beat. The heart literally doesn’t skip a beat, but it may feel like it which can be attributed to irregularity in the heart’s rhythm with movement of blood through it being different. Bigeminy is a common form of arrhythmia where a normal heartbeat is followed by a premature one. It is more common in older adults although all ages can have it. An irregular heartbeat is the most common symptom. Before moving ahead, here’s some information on the life-saving CPR procedures.

The CPR techniques comprise chest compressions and rescue breaths. Administering the techniques properly can revive the life off a victim involved in a cardiac emergency like a cardiac arrest or heart attack. Choose a certified training center for acquiring training such as the AHA certified CPR Louisville in Kentucky. Become eligible for an AHA CPR certification Louisville at the end of the training classes after successfully passing a skills test and written exam.

Bigeminy Causes:

There can be many causes behind palpitations occurring with bigeminy and it can be difficult in identifying the cause with some being caused by arrhythmia, some due to anxiety or panic disorders, some having no identifiable causes, some due to prescription, over-the-counter, or illegal drugs, some due to a cardiac cause other than arrhythmia while some having non-cardiac causes.

Human heart beats 100,000 times a day and moves roughly 5 liters of blood throughout the body which is equivalent to a distance of almost 60,000 miles. The rhythmic cycle of contraction and relaxation, which pumps blood through the four chambers of the heart helps it to perform this task. The process is triggered by electrical impulses occurring 60–100 times a minute in a resting, healthy adult. The ticker rhythm gets skewed with the timing getting skewed which is described as an arrhythmia and there are many forms of it including bigeminy.

Bigeminy Symptoms:

During bigeminy, it is felt as if the heart is skipping a beat or having palpitations. These unusual beats are also called ectopic contractions. It is felt as if there is a pause between the heart beats. Bigeminy is a form of arrhythmia in which the ticker beats too early or prematurely. Prompt medical care should be sought if the palpitations are accompanied by feeling faint or actual fainting and dizziness.

Lifestyle Changes:

Bigeminy does not usually require any complicated treatments and tend to resolve on its own. According to experts, there are some potential triggers that should be avoided:

1.      caffeine in coffee, tea, energy drinks, and some soft drinks.

2.      Alcohol and nicotine

3.      Medications for seasonal allergies like cold, asthma, etc.

Exercise also sometimes trigger episodes of bigeminy so individuals with palpitations should be careful when starting or returning to physical activities. Doctors may prescribe drugs known as beta-blockers in this regard.

At CPR Louisville, you can either register for a course online or call on 502-804-6132 for the same.

Things to Know about Chronic and Persistent AFib and Louisville BLS Classes

The upper two chambers of the heart (the atria) beat quickly and irregularly in atrial fibrillation. Our discussion today will revolve around chronic and persistent AFib. Before that, here’s some information on the life-saving CPR techniques.

The life-saving CPR procedures comprise chest compressions and rescue breaths. Proper application can revive the life of a victim involved in a cardiac emergency which can either be a cardiac arrest or heart attack. For training, always select a certified training center such as the AHA certified CPR Louisville in Kentucky. Certified instructors conduct the classes through a series of audio and video lectures and hands-on practice. There are courses for healthcare and non-healthcare providers. Read to know more about a “BLS certification Louisville” course.

Basic Life Support training classes- This course is geared towards training individuals currently working in healthcare or planning a career in healthcare where students will learn adult, child, and infant CPR. Students will also be trained on the use of an automated external defibrillator, or AED. This CPR class is for nurses, physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, dentists, CRNAs, paramedics, EMTs, medical technicians/assistants, dental hygienists/assistants, physical therapists, occupational therapists, nursing students, medical students and more.

The course fee is $74.

Chronic A-fib is usually diagnosed once a person has had symptoms lasting for longer than 12 months. Chronic A-Fib may also be called long-standing, persistent A-fib. People with chronic A-Fib may experience no symptoms or may experience a combination of these symptoms- fatigue, dizziness, sweating, palpitations, chest pain, anxiety, shortness of breath, general weakness, fainting, etc.

Anyone experiencing these symptoms should immediately consult a doctor as these symptoms can be signs of another heart problem like a heart attack.

Risk Factors- There are several factors that put some people at higher risk for developing chronic A-Fib than others although anyone can develop this condition, even individuals who are otherwise healthy. The risk factors are

1.      Thyroid problems

2.      Previous open-heart surgery

3.      Excessive alcohol consumption

4.      Cardiomyopathy

5.      Sick sinus syndrome

6.      Diabetes and high blood pressure

7.      Aging (being over age 60)

8.      Lung disease

9.      Heart attack history

10.  Untreated atrial flutter

11.  Heart structure problems

12.  Coronary artery disease

13.  Inflammation around the ticker

14.  Other major infections or illnesses

Diagnosis- As because most people do not experience any symptoms, A-Fib can be difficult to diagnose which is often diagnosed during a routine physical or a checkup for some other problem. It is important for individuals with symptoms to consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis who most likely asks about the individual’s medical history and may order some tests like electrocardiogram, a Holter Monitor, event monitor, echocardiogram, MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Computed Tomography (CT) scan, etc.

Treatments- The main objective of A-Fib treatments is to minimize the risk of blood clots and return the ticker to a normal rhythm. Some of the treatment options include

1.      Lifestyle changes

2.      Pacemakers or similar devices

3.      Surgery

4.      Ablation

5.      Techniques to reset the heart’s rhythm

6.      Medications

Some of the commonly prescribed medications include beta blockers or calcium channel blockers to slow an abnormally fast heart rate, blood thinners to reduce the risk of blood clots, antiarrhythmics to restore the heart rate to normal, medications to treat associated conditions like high blood pressure or thyroid problems.

Preventing Measures- It is not always possible to prevent A-Fib but there are steps that can be taken to stay healthy and decrease the risk of developing the condition. Some steps include

1.      Maintain a healthy weight

2.      Limit alcohol consumption

3.      Keep blood pressure in check

4.      Manage stress

5.      Control blood sugar levels

6.      Daily exercise

7.      Avoid excess caffeine

8.      Quit smoking

9.      Avoid trans and saturated fats

10.  Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, omega 3s

Hope, this information proves to be beneficial for you.

For more information or to join a CPR course, call CPR Louisville on 502-804-6132.