Exercise is the Key to a Healthy Heart for Everyone

Physical activity along with healthy eating and not smoking improves heart health by preventing heart disease and also helps to recover if one has had a heart event. According to experts, doing just 30 minutes of moderate physical activity a day can significantly lower your risk of cardiovascular disease thus helping to keep life-threatening cardiac emergencies at bay.

A cardiac arrest can strike anyone, even a child or an infant. You cannot predict its occurrence. It’s a life-threatening emergency and a victim would require immediate treatment for survival. The most appropriate form of treatment is proper application of the life-saving CPR procedure that comprises chest compressions and rescue breaths.

The most common cause of cardiac arrest in adults is a disturbance in the electrical rhythm of the ticker called ventricular fibrillation (VF). VF can be treated, which requires applying an electric shock to the chest called defibrillation. Brain death will occur in less than 10 minutes if a defibrillator is not readily available. Providing artificial breathing and circulation by performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is one way of buying time until a defibrillator becomes available. CPR keeps oxygenated blood flowing to the heart and brain until a defibrillator becomes available. The earlier you perform the CPR procedure on a person, the greater the chance of a successful resuscitation.

Although sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) occurs less commonly in infants and children, nevertheless SCA in infants and children does occur, typically because of either respiratory failure, an infection or because of abnormality of the ticker. Causes of SCA in children and infants include

1.      Breathing and airway problems

2.      Blow to the chest

3.      Congenital heart disease

4.      Traumatic injury or an incident

5.      Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

To train in the CPR procedure, make sure to select a certified training center, such as the AHA accredited CPR Memphis. Learn more about a “PALS class Memphis”:

Pediatric Advanced Life Support classes- PALS class begins with basic life support and CPR testing for 1 and 2 rescuers on child and infant. Recognizing and managing pediatric emergencies, intubation, intravenous and intra-osseous vascular access are also covered in the program. The class culminates with actual PALS cases and a final written examination.

Benefits of Physical Activity:

Our heart is a muscle that needs exercise to stay fit in order to efficiently pump oxygenated blood around the body. The body slowly loses its strength, stamina and ability to function well without regular physical activity.

You can prevent cardiovascular disease; lower your risk of high blood pressure, stroke and diabetes; aid cardiac rehabilitation; build stronger immunity; reduce stress, tension, depression and anxiety; control and maintain a healthy weight; fight the battle to quit smoking and more with lifelong physical activity, such as a brisk walk for as little as 30 minutes a day. Gain about two hours of additional life expectancy with each hour of regular exercise you get. The more you move the better, regardless of the type of activity that you choose to do.

Activities Good for the Ticker:

Walking is one of the best options which everyone can do, all that is required is a pair of shoes. You can sign up for swimming classes, take exercise classes or even play a sport, but keep in mind that everyday things like gardening and climbing stairs also fall in the realm of physical activity. Any increase in physical activity is good for the health. For added benefits, it’s advisable to include activities that help strengthen muscles twice a week, such as exercising with weights, working with resistance bands, heavy gardening or carrying shopping. Aim towards building up to a total of 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of moderate intensity activity each week. Check the amount and type of activity that is suitable for you with your healthcare provider if you do have a health problem or have a condition that you are taking prescribed medication for.

Remember, it is never too late to get started. Everyone can benefit from moving more regardless of age, size or physical condition. When embarking on an exercise routine, start in small amounts and find an activity that you enjoy doing. Build up to 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day with gradual increase in the amount you are doing.

Face cardiac emergencies efficiently by joining a CPR course today. For more information, contact CPR Memphis on 901-438-4200.