we’re able to get them back. Sometimes in the hospital, there are specific treatments that they may do if the patient is suspected of having an acute heart attack, which caused the cardiac arrest. They would usually be referred for coronary angiography or a cardiac catheterization. Other patients may be referred for what’s called TTM, which is targeted temperature management, where they bring the body temperature down for approximately 36 to 40 hours to try to help with their neurologic outcomes long-term.
What advice would you give to individuals who want to take proactive steps in maintaining heart health and reducing their risk of heart disease, especially considering the higher prevalence of high blood pressure in the Black community?
I think the main thing in the Black community, of course, is making sure that we see the doctor on a regular basis, getting appropriate screening tests that are indicated. If you see your favorite physician on a regular basis, they may notice an abnormal EKG and then refer you for further testing. So, you want to be more on the preventative side and try to get away from being on the reactive side. I think that’s a big issue in our community. Also, you want to know your numbers with regards to your cholesterol, your blood sugar, your blood pressure, and you also want to focus on maintaining a healthy weight and exercising. We know that obesity is a big problem in our community, and so we want to try to keep our body weight at a more recommended level. Also, there’s been an underemphasis on diet and exercise in our community, so we really need to focus on getting a healthier diet and then exercising on a regular basis. Even though we are busy and stressed and have families, you cannot take care of anybody else until you take care of yourself first.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I think also, particularly in our communities, we need more education. It would be nice if we could expand basic CPR training to places, particularly in African American communities like beauty shops, barber shops, community centers, churches, where this is offered on a regular basis. And then, in addition to educating patients on proper CPR techniques, it would also be good if we also had training on AEDs, which are automated external defibrillators, which you’ll find in public places like airports or malls. Because some patients have a rhythm that’s called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, those rhythms require defibrillation. And so, if you’re able to defibrillate a patient very early, that also can be key in them surviving that cardiac arrest. So, in addition to proper CPR education, we also need education on AEDs for more of the public. That would be very beneficial.
I know the importance of AEDs has been brought into the light a lot, especially with the cardiac arrest that Damar Hamlin suffered. Can you talk a bit more about the importance of AEDs in connection to cardiac arrest and CPR?
Usually, if a patient has a shockable rhythm, such as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, that rhythm needs to be defibrillated as soon as possible, meaning that their highest chance of survival is with defibrillation. So, it’s important to have AEDs available in the public arena so that while you’re waiting for EMS personnel to arrive, the public can defibrillate a patient. They’re very easy to use. Essentially, you attach the AEDs to the patient, turn the device on, and just simply follow the directions. The AED device itself will tell you whether the patient has a shockable rhythm, and if it’s instructed you to deliver that shock, you just hit a button. So, it’s very easy to use and can be lifesaving. Particularly with the amount of athletics that we see for teenagers, young adults, even children, it’s very important to have those AEDs available if possible. It also stresses the importance of younger athletes, and teenagers, getting physicals prior to participating in sports with strenuous activity. That way, something can be detected early and can be lifesaving.
I think this is definitely an important conversation to have, especially regarding sports, and what happened with Damar Hamlin and LeBron James’ son. Can you talk a bit more about the importance of understanding the potential causes of cardiac arrest in both younger and older individuals?
Yes, understanding the potential causes of cardiac arrest is crucial, especially when considering the differences between younger and older individuals. In younger adults, we often think about more anatomical or genetic causes that could potentially lead to cardiac arrest. For example, Damar Hamlin likely had commotio cordis, where he was hit at a specific point in the cardiac cycle, which probably led to his cardiac arrest. In older patients, we would think about other things that could potentially cause it, such as myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, or some other cause of respiratory failure. It’s important for people to know that heart disease can affect individuals at young ages, especially in the Black community, and to be aware of the signs and symptoms, regardless of age.