Heart Problems and Defibrillation

Every year approximately 55,000 Australians suffer a heart attack (Sudden Cardiac Arrest). The National Heart Foundation of Australia recently released the concerning statistics that an average of 26 people die every day from heart attacks. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) claims even more lives as the leading cause of death in Australia. What the Heart Foundation has also found is that these deaths are ‘largely preventable.’

So what causes Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)? When someone goes into Cardiac Arrest the normally organised electrical impulses that initiate cardiac contraction (our heartbeats) discharge chaotically, and this results in the heart muscle twitching spasmodically. Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) and Ventricular Fibrillation (VF) are two types of these abnormal, chaotic heart rhythms that can bring on SCA. There’s rarely any warning and a victim of SCA usually collapses and stops breathing immediately. That’s when the clock starts ticking.

Calling 000 in the event of SCA is critical. So is performing CPR on the victim. But the chances of survival from Sudden Cardiac Arrest fall by 7% to 10% every minute. The single most effective treatment for SCA is early defibrillation—providing a shock to the heart within the first five minutes and CPR.

Sadly, less than 8% of people who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital survive. But survival rates of close to 50% have been achieved where Automated External Defibrillator (AED) programs have been successfully implemented. Survival rates can climb even higher when the person is treated within the first three minutes of cardiac arrest.

First Aid Accident & Emergency is now selling Defibrillators for as little as $1,500 and provide training to yourself and your staff on proper usage. At First Aid Accident & Emergency we understand the importance of having all of the correct First Aid equipment on hand in your workplace. Our team can visit your place of work and provide training and advice to you and your staff on the First Aid supplies that are needed for your individual working space. We pride ourselves on offering the not only the highest quality in first aid equipment but also the best training on how to use it.

If you would like to more information on our defibrillators or any other First Aid equipment, please contact our head office based right here on the Gold Coast.