Coronary Artery Diseases are rising, and everyone is at an increased risk. Studies show that heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States. In the United States, one person dies from these medical conditions every 36 seconds.
A larger population spends more time at work than anywhere else. Therefore, a heart attack is not uncommon at the workplace as it can affect perfectly healthy persons while undertaking routine tasks. Knowing the signs, symptoms, and how to act in case of a heart attack will help in the early recognition and management of such cases to save lives. Whenever a person experiences a heart attack, every second counts. Unfortunately, a heart attack occurs unexpectedly without warning signs.
How Does Heart Attack Occur?
Heart attack results from the blockage of blood vessels supplying the heart muscle. The blockage could cause blood clots or blood vessel narrowing from plaque buildup in the form of fat, cholesterol, and other substances. Heart attack is fatal as it can result in death within minutes, while in other cases, it permanently damages the heart muscle and brain. Wherever a heart attack occurs, the heart stops pumping blood, and the victim falls unconscious. Sometimes, the person has difficulty breathing, while others stop breathing altogether. The signs of a heart attack victim vary from one person to the other. These heart attack symptoms include shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chest pain, arms, legs, and jaw pain, cold sweats, nausea, and vomiting.
How Employers Can Ensure That Their Employees Are Ready for Heart Attack Emergency
Training
Training on saving a heart attack victim is critical as it enables you to recognize persons experiencing heart attacks and act within the shortest time possible without panicking. It is fundamental for organizations to ensure their staff is regularly trained on the performance of CPR and the administration of the AED. One advantage of CPR certification is that you have the confidence to attend to heart-related emergencies and save lives. Employees holding CPR certification are an asset to the organization. Providing these skills to your staff members is an excellent show of goodwill.
CPR training
Having a CPR-certified individual at the workplace could make a big difference. Whenever a person goes into a heart attack, it is only by offering CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) that you can save their lives. In this case, you must be aware of the victim's state by assessing their breathing. If in doubt, start CPR immediately, as it is unlikely to cause any harm, even to healthy persons. The CPR process entails chest compressions that create an artificial heartbeat. It ensures that the blood remains in circulation throughout the victim's body and that major organs, such as the brain, don't suffer from oxygen deficiency.
CPR on Heart Attack Victims
CPR is a critical life saving technique for persons experiencing a heart attack. To Perform CPR, you need to locate the middle of the victim's chest and press hard by using the heels of your hand with fingers interlocked at a rate of 100 compressions per minute. This procedure is easy to follow, even for non-professionals. However, to provide high-quality chest compressions, there is a need for training. In addition, high-quality CPR creates blood flow keeping the victim alive before emergency medical response arrives.
The depth of chest compressions is also critical in sustaining blood circulation. It differs between adults and children. Therefore the pressure applied is not the same. Each compression should go up to one-third of the victim's chest depth. The rescuer should allow for complete chest recoil after each compression. Every 30 compressions are followed by two rescue breaths. If the rescuer is not comfortable offering mouth-to-mouth, high-quality chest compressions only (hands-only CPR) are adequate to keep the victim alive for some time as you await specialized help.
How to Get Workplace CPR Certification?
Organizations can train their employees on the performance of CPR or make it an essential requirement at the time of recruitment of staff. The courses are available online. Certified institutions provide high-quality skills. There are certain advantages of taking online CPR certification programs. It allows for flexibility. Employees can take up the training in their own free time without pressure. The courses are also readily available, and there is no need to schedule CPR classes. Certification is also instantaneous upon meeting the minimum requirements.
CPR classes also do not have any restrictions in terms of education levels and age, which makes them available to anyone. They are also cost-friendly, you will only pay a few dollars, and the budget doesn't press too much on your pockets. Employers who wish to have CPR skilled workforce can pay for them without incurring much cost. Given the benefits of CPR skills, such a move would be helpful in staff development.
AED training
The use of the AED is covered under CPR classes. Organizations must have skilled personnel who can effectively operate the AED when necessary. CPR on its own is ineffective in restoring cardiac arrest victims' normal heart rhythm. The AED is a device that analyses the heart rhythm and instructs if the victim needs a shock to restore their heartbeat. Ventricular fibrillation is a common cause of heart attack. When the heart is in ventricular fibrillation, there is a lot of chaos, and the ventricles are not pumping blood. In this case, the heart requires a shock to reverse the condition and restore its normal functionality. Studies show that early use of the device increases the chances of survival by 60%. The device is easy to use, even for non professionals. However, training is required to operate effectively. It is easily portable and works with a battery.
Aside from the training, employers should ensure that they have a functional AED device that is easily accessible by anyone. The device should be checked regularly to ensure it is in good condition. When the device is readily available, there is no need to wait for emergency medical services to arrive. It, therefore, saves time wasted and increases the chances of survival. The AED should be placed conveniently where every staff member can easily access it. It is recommended that the AED be placed where people work closely together or with large crowds.
Since its discovery, the AED has saved millions of lives worldwide. However, having the device is not enough, as it requires skills. Just like for CPR certification, the skills require constant renewal. Without use, employees trained in CPR and AED certification will likely forget some basic concepts, compromising their ability to save lives effectively. In addition, CPR and AED certification is valid for two years, after which the holder is required to take a recertification program. Therefore, employers who wish to have a CPR-skilled workforce must ensure that their certifications are up to date.
Work Environment
Employers should promote a healthy work environment. At the current age, people spend most of their time at work. Among the major risk factors of heart attack are lifestyle related and psychological.
To Promote a Healthy Work Environment, Employers Should:
Lower Stress and Pressure
Stress at the workplace is prevalent. A significant cause of the pressure is unmet and pressing goals set by employers. While businesses need to achieve their goals, they should provide targets that are achievable by their employees while at the same time stretching their abilities. Proper planning is also crucial as it ensures that the employees have smaller, easily achievable targets oriented to the big picture. Organizations should also ensure a work-life balance for their employees through flexibility and friendly working hours. Listening to staff and keeping them part of the decision-making process is also essential.
Promoting Healthy Diet
Organizations should ensure that the food they provide their employees is heart health-friendly to maintain a healthy weight. Certain foods are known to increase the risk of a heart attack. These foods include processed food, animal proteins, and foods high in processed sugar and high in blood cholesterol levels. In addition, employees should keep their employees tuned to healthy living by providing proper education in their staff development programs.
Providing Physical Work Out Opportunities
Employers should also provide physical activities and workout opportunities for their employees to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and improve their health conditions. They can do so by providing free gym memberships. In addition, some businesses have created gyms for employees who are available during non-working hours.
Conclusion
Heart attacks are a leading cause of death in the United States, so it's important to talk to your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about your heart health. Having a healthy heart is crucial for being able to effectively undertake tasks and helps reduce your risk for heart disease.
In the workplace, employers who are constantly concerned about the well-being of their employees are more likely to benefit from the increased output. Staff development is the best way to keep employees motivated. For employee-centered institutions, staff development moves away from organizational goals to personal health. Employers must prepare for such emergencies because of the increasing risk factors for a heart attack at the workplace.
