Jul 1, 2009 11:39 pm US/Eastern
Study: Cardiac Arrest Death Likely In Hospitals
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
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Defibrillators are the number one line of defense against heart attacks.
CBS
Michael Jackson's death is shedding new light on cardiac arrests; survival rates have not gotten any better in the last decade despite all the improvements in emergency medicine.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows your chance of surviving a cardiac arrest, even in the hospital, has not improved in more than a decade. University of Miami Cardiologist Dr. Alan Heldman says he and his team often practice CPR on mannequins to continue to receive the latest training. He says survival rates are low because the process to restart the heart is incredibly complex.
"It takes very coordinated teamwork and everybody has to know their job and do it exactly in the right way," said Dr. Heldman.
The study shows only 18 percent of patients who go through cardiac arrest in the hospital survive. Dr. Heldman says your chances are even lower if it happens at home. An automatic defibrillator is your best chance for survival, and if that isn't available Dr. Heldman has this advice: "Begin chest compressions, begin CPR, activate the emergency medical system, call 911 and get the trained responders going so they can be there as quickly as possible."
Quick-thinking actions that could give someone you love at least a little more chance of survival.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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