Learn Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Mar 2, 2011, 0 Comments
It can save lives
Courtesy Xochitl Mora,
Laredo, TX— The City of Laredo Health Department (CLHD) is encouraging everyone to learn Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) to save lives. CPR also is a best practice heart and stroke primary prevention method. In the United States, the national heart attack survival rate is at 5 percent with approximately 80 percent of sudden cardiac arrests occurring at home. In Laredo, 53% of all deaths in 2010 were due to cardiovascular disease; a leading cause of heart attack. CPR, when performed correctly, can drastically improve a person’s chance of surviving a heart attack. To prevent heart disease and stroke, the CLHD has initiated a “Heart and Stroke Healthy City Initiative”.
This effort is promoting primary (early detection to reduce risk factors i.e.: high blood pressure, diabetes, and kidney disease; reduce cholesterol and triglycerides, promote exercise, good nutrition, reduce smoking, moderate alcohol among others) and secondary (appropriate treatment and follow-up of ischemic diseases, strokes, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, sickle cell disease etc) heart disease and stroke prevention. Among one of the best practice prevention activities is CPR. Therefore CLHD through its Heart and Stroke Healthy City Initiative will be conducting Free CPR sessions at several sites through August 2011 as follows:
· 1st and 5th Thursday of the month: Laredo Health Department Auditorium, 2600 Cedar Ave from 1-5 pm.
· 2nd Thursday of the month: El Eden Recreation Center, 4735 Loma Vista from 1-5 pm.
· 3rd Thursday of the month: Farias Recreation Center, 1601 Farias from 1-5 pm.
· 4th Friday of the month: Larga Vista Community Center, 5401 Cisneros St. from 9 am -1 pm.
A special Heart and Stroke Healthy City Initiative Mass CPR training in combination with the City of Laredo Fire Department EMS will be conducted on March 5, 2011 at the Laredo Civic Center Ballroom from 9 am to 2 pm (registration at 8:00am). Those interested in attending this class must enroll by calling (956) 795-4957.
Effective CPR can help make the difference between life and death. Because most heart attacks happen outside of the hospital setting, bystander response to an event is critical. Laypersons are most likely to arrive first at the scene of an arrest and chances are they will know the victim. In fact, the likelihood of survival doubles if a bystander begins CPR before the EMS team arrives.
