Basic Life Support: Management Of Cardiac Arrest

Cardiac arrest is one of the worlds leading causes of death than any combined such as motor vehicular accidents or any type of cancer

. The cause of cardiac arrest is a lot, it can be any or both of the following:

Coronary Heart Disease

This is due to the cholesterol (plaque) build up in the coronary arteries. These coronary arteries are the pathway of oxygen to supply your heart muscle yet the plaque impedes the needed oxygen. Some cells of the heart muscles will die due to lack of oxygen which will cause dysfunction with the hearts pumping action. This will lead to heart arrhythmias and eventually sudden cardiac death.

Stress

Stress that is physical can cause cardiac arrest, stress from intense physical activity, extremely low levels of potassium and magnesium in the blood, severe blood loss and lack of oxygen can lead to cardiac arrest.

Inherited Disorders

Heart problems like arrhythmia tend to run in some families. Thru the inherited genes, the individual will be at higher risk for sudden cardiac death or commonly known as cardiac arrest.

Changes in the Hearts structure

These changes will affect on the hearts electrical pumping system, such as that of an enlarged heart or heart infections.

Since cardiac arrest is the sudden halt of the hearts beating, the goal would be to restore the hearts cardiac function and return it at a normal level. Cardiac arrest is first identified. When the victim has lost his consciousness and no heartbeat and breathing then suspect cardiac arrest.

After you have assessed the victims situation, have an able person near you to call for professional help while you do the first aid. Immediate CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and cardiac defibrillation are the only ways to restore the victims heartbeat and breathing. That is why these should be provided immediately to gain any chance of success since a persons chances of survival decreases by 7% with each passing minute.

First, establish the airway. Clear the airway, doing the head tilt chin lift maneuver and look for foreign material that may have blocked the airway. And then administer oxygen by mouth to mouth resuscitation. Cover the victims mouth fully with yours and exhale air until the victims chest rises. Do this 2-3 times.

And then do chest compressions. Place the palm of your dominant hand in the chest area with the non-dominant hand on top with fingers interlocked. Do at least 30 simultaneous chest compressions.

Place the victim in a recovery position (left side lying) and wait for the medical assistance to arrive.

This management is under basic life support. One must undergo a BLS class before having a provider card. This only talks of the basics but there are other management needed such as the restoration of a balanced fluids and electrolytes which is covered by ACLS. This course is much more advanced that is why only health care providers are allowed to perform these measures.

by: Keith Harper

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