Cardiac Arrest v Heart Attack
Recognising the Difference
Cardiac Arrest:
If the heart stops pumping, it is known as a cardiac arrest.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a combination of techniques, chest compressions, that will help pump the heart to get blood circulating and deliver oxygen to the brain whilst waiting for emergency services to arrive at your location.
Heart Attack:
A heart attack occurs when part of the heart is starved of oxygen.
A heart attack can ‘stun’ the heart and interrupt its rhythm and ability to pump. This is because the heart does not receive enough oxygen and cannot pump blood around the body.
There is no heartbeat (pulse) because the heart is not working.
When the blood stops circulating, the brain is starved of oxygen and the person quickly becomes unconscious and stops breathing. Without treatment, the person will die.
CPR
CPR is most successful when administered as quickly as possible. It should only be performed when a person shows no signs of life or when they are:
unresponsive not breathing normally (in cardiac arrest, some people will take occasional gasping breaths – they still need CPR at this point. Don’t wait until they are not breathing at all).
The basic steps for performing CPR can be used for adults, children and infants.
The basic steps are: D – Dangers? R – Response? S – Send for help A – Open airway B – Normal breathing C – Start CPR
First Aid Brisbane CPR Courses 5 a week to choose from
CPR Courses:
North Brisbane: Redcliffe/Clontarf
Monday/Thursday/Saturday @ 8.30 am to 10.30 am
Monday/Wednesday @ 4 pm to 5.30 pm
South Brisbane: Wakerley
Tuesday/Saturday @ 8.30 am
Tuesday @ 4 pm
Comments