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In the wake of the untimely death of singer Michael Jackson, the volunteers and staff of the American Heart Association extended their sympathy to Jackson’s family. “It’s a shame when someone his age dies so suddenly,” said Clyde Yancy, M.D., president of the American Heart Association. “Although we don’t know all the details of the situation, it’s important for people to know the signs and how to react quickly. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Jackson family at this time.”
News reports indicated that Jackson died suddenly of a cardiac arrest. Each year more than 300,000 people suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital. More than 92 percent of cardiac arrest victims don’t survive. A victim’s chances of survival are reduced by seven to 10 percent with every minute that passes without CPR and defibrillation. Cardiac arrest can be reversed by defibrillation if it’s treated within a few minutes with an electric shock to the heart to restore a normal heartbeat. However, few attempts at resuscitation succeed after 10 minutes. The American Heart Association urges the public to be prepared for cardiac emergencies: Know the warning signs of cardiac arrest. During cardiac arrest a victim loses consciousness, stops normal breathing and loses pulse and blood pressure. He or she may suddenly collapse. • Call 9-1-1 immediately to access the emergency medical system if you see any cardiac arrest warning signs. • Give cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to help keep the cardiac arrest victim alive until emergency help arrives. • If you don’t know CPR or haven’t been trained, call 9-1-1 and push hard and fast on the center of the chest until help arrives. For more information on heart attacks and cardiovascular disease, visit www.americanheart.org.
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