Introduction to

Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation

Learning Objectives

Recognise:

The importance of CPR and Chain of Survival

The Causes of Sudden Death

The Symptoms and Risk Factors of Heart Attack

Prudent Heart Living

Scope of Lesson

Introduction

Clinical and Biological Death

The Chain of Survival

The Heart

Common Causes of Sudden Death

How to Recognise a Heart Attack

Risk Factors of Heart Attack

Prudent Heart Living

Conclusion

Introduction

Cardio - Heart Pulmonary - Lung

The need for Medical Intervention

Approximately two thirds of sudden deaths that occur out of hospital are linked to coronary diseases. Most within 2 hours of the onset of cardiovascular symptoms. Heart Attack is the second most common cause of death in Singapore.

Many of these deaths can be prevented by prompt BCLS and ACLS, including rapid access to the SCDF ambulance service, bystander CPR, and early defibrillation by the SCDF Paramedic.

Clinical and Biological Death

When cardiac arrest occurs, the heart stops to pump and circulation of the blood and oxygen stops. This is known as CLINICAL DEATH.

Unless the circulation is restarted quickly, organ death will begin to occur. The most sensitive organ is the brain and if circulation to the brain is not re-started within 4 – 6mins, irreversible and permanent brain damage will start to occur. This is commonly known as BIOLOGICAL DEATH.

The Chain of Survival

1. Early Access2. Early CPR

3. Early Defibrillation4. Early ACLS

Any delay could be fatal and should be avoided at all cost!

By missing a link in the chain of survival will decrease the chances of survival for the victim

The Heart

The function of the heart is a pump.

It pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs to get rid of carbon dioxide and pick up oxygen

It pumps oxygenated blood from the lungs to all parts of the body

Common Causes of Sudden Death

Drug Overdose Drowning Electrocution Foreign Body Airway

Obstruction (FBAO) Heart Attack

Suffocation Severe Trauma Smoke Inhalation Stroke Severe Allergic

Reactions

Many of these deaths can be prevented if the victims can get prompt help – if someone trained in CPR provides proper life saving measures

until trained professionals take over.

Symptoms:Symptoms:

Chest discomfort or pain is the most common symptom. It Chest discomfort or pain is the most common symptom. It

usually has the following characteristics:usually has the following characteristics:

Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, tightness or Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, tightness or

pain usually located at the centre of the chest behind the pain usually located at the centre of the chest behind the

breastbone and may spread to either the shoulder, neck, breastbone and may spread to either the shoulder, neck,

lower jaw, or either arm. It usually lasts longer than lower jaw, or either arm. It usually lasts longer than 30 30

minutes.minutes.

How to Recognise a Heart Attack

How to Recognise a Heart Attack

Other Symptoms may include any or all of the following:Other Symptoms may include any or all of the following:

• SweatingSweating• Nausea (a feeling of wanting to vomit)

Nausea (a feeling of wanting to vomit)

• Shortness of breathShortness of breath

• WeaknessWeakness

Symptoms may occur suddenly and not be typical, so Symptoms may occur suddenly and not be typical, so

that some victims may not realise that they are having a that some victims may not realise that they are having a

heart attack. They may also think that the problem is due heart attack. They may also think that the problem is due

to indigestion.to indigestion.

Risk Factors of Heart Attack

Major risk factors that cannot be changed:

Heredity

Male gender

Increasing Age

Major risk factors that can be changed:

Cigarette smoking High blood pressure High blood cholesterol Diabetes Lack of exercise Stress Obesity

Prudent/Healthy Heart Living Control high blood pressure : treatment generally includes dietary Control high blood pressure : treatment generally includes dietary change and medication.change and medication. Less oily foods, more fruits & vegetablesLess oily foods, more fruits & vegetables..

No smokingNo smoking

Eat wisely :Eat wisely : Don’t overeatDon’t overeat. . Cut down on fats, cholesterol and Cut down on fats, cholesterol and sugar. Eat balanced meals with lots of fruit and vegetables. Fish, sugar. Eat balanced meals with lots of fruit and vegetables. Fish, chicken (without skin), bean curd, dried peas, beans and lean meat chicken (without skin), bean curd, dried peas, beans and lean meat – Low cholesterol. Drink low fat milk instead of full cream milk. – Low cholesterol. Drink low fat milk instead of full cream milk. Prawn, crab, oyster, cockle, squid, lobster, fat meat – high Prawn, crab, oyster, cockle, squid, lobster, fat meat – high cholesterol.cholesterol.

Reduce weight if you are overweight : count calories in your food Reduce weight if you are overweight : count calories in your food intake. Less rice, flour, sugar.intake. Less rice, flour, sugar.

Exercise regularlyExercise regularly: : exercise tones the muscles, stimulates blood exercise tones the muscles, stimulates blood circulation, helps avoid excess weight gain and promotes a general circulation, helps avoid excess weight gain and promotes a general feeling of well being.feeling of well being.

Conclusion

List the 4 links in “Chain of Survival” List the 10 common causes of sudden

death Difference between Clinical and Biological

Death List the symptoms of heart attack List the risk factors of heart attack List the factors in prudent heart living

Is CPR strictly for Heart Attack victims?