Cardiac Arrest vs Heart Attack

Each year, over 350,000 Americans experience sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) outside of a hospital. CPR and early defibrillation with an automated external defibrillator (AED) increase a victim’s chance of survival significantly. An AED is a portable electronic device that can audibly prompt and deliver an electric shock that will disrupt or stop the heart’s irregular electrical activity. In November 2008 our church was able to purchase an AED thanks to Myrtle “Peggy” Houston. Peggy, who died in January 2008 at the age of 100, was a nurse at the Northfield Hospital for many years. The Stewardship and Finance Committee voted to use money from Peggy’s estate to buy an AED for the church. It was very fitting and appropriate to use some of her money to continue to save lives as she did during her nursing career. Our defibrillator was purchased through the Northfield Hospital with a grant from The Initial Life Support Foundation. Be sure to check out the location of our AED which is in the wooden cabinet (made by Ken Fineran) on the east wall of the Gathering Space near the door to the Fellowship Hall. 

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is different than a heart attack, which happens when blood flow to a portion of the heart is blocked, thus depriving the heart muscle of necessary oxygen. SCA is the sudden, unexpected loss of heart function, breathing and consciousness. This results from an electrical disturbance in the heart that disrupts pumping action and causes blood to stop flowing to the rest of the body and the brain. It is a medical emergency which will result in sudden cardiac death if not treated immediately. Hands Only CardioPulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) can increase chances of survival until emergency personnel arrive, but survival rates are as high as 38% if defibrillation is used to shock the heart back to a normal rhythm. 

Over the years, several dozen church staff and members have taken training in CPR and use of the AED. Please consider taking a CPR/AED training session. 

Local classes are periodically offered at Fifty North, www.FiftyNorth.org, (507) 664-3700 or through Northfield Public Schools Community Education, www.northfieldschools.org/communityeducation, (507) 664-3649. And do talk with Ruth Kruse, NUMC Parish Nurse, if you have questions about CPR or AED training.