MDs: review CPR knowledge, encourage patients to take course
CMAJ 1997;157:1192
© 1997 Canadian Medical Association
Although cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has become a familiar term in Canada, new evidence indicates that nearly half of Canadians aged 45 or older would not know what to do if there is a cardiac emergency.
In a random survey of 800 Canadians, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada found that 46% of respondents did not feel confident they would know what to do if they suspected someone was having a heart attack. The survey also found that the higher respondents' ages, the lower their level of confidence in dealing with a cardiac emergency.
The survey also indicated that only 57.7% of respondents would respond to one or more signs of a heart attack by dialling 911. About 10% of respondents said they would simply lie down and wait until they felt better. Others would respond by seeing their family doctor, taking ASA or removing their false teeth.
Since November is CPR Awareness Month, the foundation is working with the Canadian Red Cross, Canadian Ski Patrol, St. John Ambulance and the Lifesaving Society to raise public awareness of heart-attack warning signs and ways to act during an emergency. In the latter case, the person should call for emergency assistance and start CPR if necessary. The campaign targets men and women aged 45 or older who have at least 1 major risk factor for heart disease.
The foundation hopes physicians will help spread the CPR message by encouraging high-risk patients and their families to learn heart-attack warning signs. Because more than 70% of attacks occur in the home, family members must be able to recognize and respond to emergency situations by taking a CPR course or watching a training video. This should provide the knowledge and confidence needed to deal with an emergency.
November is also an opportune time for physicians to review their own knowledge of CPR by taking a refresher course or an advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) course. The revised ACLS text includes new information on the treatment of acute stroke.
Further information about CPR Awareness Month and CPR courses is available at the foundation's Web site, www.hsf.ca, or by calling 1-888-hsf-info.
Roughly 22 000 Canadians die of heart attacks every year, with about half of the deaths occurring before the person reaches hospital. -- Sonia Toews, Heart and Stroke Foundation
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