With SMH Cardiovascular Nurse Kristie Menke
According to the American Heart Association, 350,000 cardiac arrests happen outside of the hospital. About 70% of those happen in someone's home.
Would you know how to help a loved one — or even a stranger — if they were having a heart attack?
Performing hands-only CPR on them can greatly increase their chance of survival. It’s easy to learn—only two steps—and saves lives.
Hands Only CPR How-to
1. Call 9-1-1
2. Push hard and fast in the center of the chest.*
That’s it. Continue hands-only CPR until emergency services arrives or the person is revived.
*Helpful tip: The American Heart Association recommends performing hands-only CPR at a tempo of 100 to 120 beats per minute. Instead of trying to count beats per minute, time your pushes to the beat of the Bee Gees tune, “Staying Alive.”
Just remember: Call 9-1-1, and push hard and fast in the center of the chest. The only thing you can do wrong is to do nothing at all.
Cardiovascular nurse Kristie Menke, MSN, RN, is a Sarasota Memorial disease specific program coordinator. With more than 8 years' experience in heart care, her focus is community outreach and helping those living with heart failure and recovering from acute myocardial infarction.