Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month

October is Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month. Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) can happen to anyone, at any age, at any time. SCA is a leading cause of preventable death. For every minute that passes before help arrives, SCA survival decreases by 7%-10%.

In January of 2021, FCFRD launched the PulsePoint mobile app in Fairfax County. The PulsePoint app alerts resident bystanders nearby, trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), who can help victims before Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department firefighters and paramedics arrive. It also directs these potential resident rescuers to the exact location of the closest Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

The PulsePoint mobile app can be found in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.

Celebrate Heart Month by Learning Hands-Only CPR

As part of Heart Month, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue would like to remind all residents that Hands-Only CPR can save lives. According to our friends at the American Heart Association, most people who experience cardiac arrest at home, work or in a public location die because they don’t receive immediate CPR from someone on the scene.

As a bystander, don’t be afraid. Your actions can only help. Immediate CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival.

Watch the brief video below to learn how to perform Hands-Only CPR. Also a friendly reminder from Technician Loughnane to give the gift of life and donate blood if you are able! Learn more about that here: Give Blood

Learn About Heart Attack Symptoms in Women During American Heart Month

American Heart Month is a time to spotlight heart disease, the number one killer of Americans. Did you know that heart disease is the Number ONE killer of women in the United States?

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms of a heart attack. In particular, shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain that women often chalk up to less life-threatening conditions like acid reflux, the flu or normal aging.

The AHA, and Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, recommend that if you experience any of these signs, call 9-1-1 right away.

• Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back.

• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.

• Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness. As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.

For more information and prevention tips, please go here: Heart Attack Symptoms in Women

Photo courtesy of the American Heart Association

American Heart Month Reinforces the Importance of Heart Health

In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first proclamation declaring February as American Heart Month. President Johnson was among the millions of people in the country who had experienced a heart attack.

American Heart Month is a time to spotlight heart disease, the number one killer of Americans. It is also a time when all county residents can focus on their cardiovascular health. In most cases, heart disease is preventable when individuals adopt a healthy lifestyle.

FCFRD will be providing safety tips throughout the month here on the blog as well as the FCFRD Social Media platforms.

Have a healthy and happy Heart Month!

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Earns National Recognition for Efforts to Improve Treatment for Severe Heart Attacks

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® EMS Gold Achievement Award for implementing specific quality improvement measures to treat patients who suffer severe heart attacks.

Each year, more than 250,000 people experience an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the deadliest type of heart attack, caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment. To prevent death, it is critical to restore blood flow as quickly as possible, either by mechanically opening the blocked vessel or by providing clot-busting medication.

“EMTs and paramedics play a vital part in the system of care for those who have heart attacks,” said Tim Henry, M.D., chair of the Mission: Lifeline Acute Coronary Syndrome Subcommittee. “Since they often are the first medical point of contact, they can save precious minutes of treatment time by activating the emergency response system that alerts hospitals to an incoming heart attack patient.”

The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program helps reduce barriers to prompt treatment for heart attacks – starting from when 9-1-1 is called, to EMS transport and continuing through hospital treatment and discharge. Optimal care for heart attack patients takes coordination between the individual hospital, EMS and healthcare system.

“Fairfax County Fire and Rescue is honored to be recognized by the American Heart Association for our dedication to providing optimal care for heart attack patients,” said Fire Chief John Butler. “This accomplishment would not be possible without the men and women of this department who work tirelessly to provide high quality, life-saving care to our patients to ensure they have the best chance of survival.”

Learn Hands-Only CPR

As part of Heart Month, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue would like to remind all residents that Hands-Only CPR can save lives. According to our friends at the American Heart Association, most people who experience cardiac arrest at home, work or in a public location die because they don’t receive immediate CPR from someone on the scene.

As a bystander, don’t be afraid. Your actions can only help. Immediate CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival.

Watch the brief video below to learn how to perform Hands-Only CPR.

Go Red Today and Learn About Heart Attack Symptoms in Women

Today is Go Red for Women day. This initiative was created by the American Heart Association (AHA) and is designed to increase women’s heart health awareness. Did you know that heart disease is the Number 1 killer of women in the United States?

According to the AHA, women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms of a heart attack. In particular, shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain that women often chalk up to less life-threatening conditions like acid reflux, the flu or normal aging.

The AHA, and Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, recommend that if you experience any of these signs, call 9-1-1 right away.

• Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back.

• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.

• Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness. As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.

For more information and prevention tips, please go here: Heart Attack Symptoms in Women

Photo courtesy of the American Heart Association

Learn The Warning Signs of a Heart Attack During Heart Month

February is American Heart Month.

Unfortunately, heart attacks do happen. It is important that you and your loved ones know and recognize the warning signs of a heart attack as every second counts! Please take a moment to review the below tips from our friends at the American Heart Association.

If you think you or a loved one are experiencing a heart attack, call 911 as soon as possible!

• Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
• Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

• Heart attack warning signs:  Spanish (PDF)