Merry Christmas, Heart Alive Family. As you enjoy with your family this season, please be reminded that cardiac arrest incidence increases during festive periods, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and new year celebrations (Kloner, Poole, & Perritt, 1999). Kloner et el. confirmed in their study that an increase in death during the first three weeks of November, which correlates to thanksgiving time, continues throughout the month of December, peaks around New Year’s Day, and then decline after the first week of the new year.
Studies have shown that the increase in deaths during these periods is attributed to extremes of weather, such as winter. Other factors reported were superimposed respiratory infections, behavioral changes, and increased food, salt, and alcohol consumption. Plus, the emotional and psychological stresses of shopping, food preparation, family excitement visits, and travels. Phillips and his group also postulated the possibility that holiday-induced delays in seeking treatment play a role in causing coronary morbidity and cardiac arrest.
Remember that early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation are associated with increased chances of survival from cardiac arrest. If there is no response and no pulse, call 911 and push hard and fast to the middle of the chest. Be reminded that the use of AED on the victim if you have one can increase the survival rate from 50% to 70%. Have a safe Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of us at Heart Alive Training. #ACLScertification #BLStraining #CPRsaveslive
References:
Kloner RA, Poole WK, Perritt RL. When throughout the year is coronary death most likely to occur? A 12-year population-based analysis of more than 220 000 cases. Circulation. 1999 Oct 12;100(15):1630-4. doi: 10.1161/01.cir.100.15.1630. PMID: 10517734.
Phillips DP, Jarvinen JR, Abramson IS, Phillips RR. Cardiac mortality is higher around Christmas and New Year’s than at any other time: the holidays as a risk factor for death. Circulation. 2004 Dec 21;110(25):3781-8. doi: 10.1161/01.CIR.0000151424.02045.F7. Epub 2004 Dec 13. PMID: 15596560.”
