Heart disease affects millions each year, with one in two people dying from complications of cardiovascular disease. From the onset of a cardiac event, most victims have six minutes for intervention before they will not or cannot recover. Many public places have Automated External Defibrillator (AED) boxes available for use.
If you are in public and see someone having a cardiac event, dial 911 immediately, then use the AED. AEDs are designed for inexperienced users and will not give off electricity when not indicated. While using an AED may seem scary, it can mean the difference between life and death.
Heart disease has seven significant factors - poor diet, obesity, inactivity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking. The University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center has a free online assessment to evaluate your risk of heart disease, and an convenient online scheduler if you'd like to make an appointment with the cardiac team.
Take the online assessment here.
All public places should have an AED available for use. You can learn how to get one for your business here.
