Be aware of the symptoms associated with a serious cardiac event.

 

This is the advice that to the new CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados (HSFB) Inc., Fiona Anthony is sending out to the Barbadian public.

 

Speaking to the media yesterday at the presentation of two automated external defibrillator (AED) devices to the Foundation, she stated that these symptoms can include chest pain that spreads down to other parts of the body such as the jaws and arms.

 

“The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados urges the public to be aware of the symptoms of a serious cardiac event such as a heart attack, which can present as crushing central chest pain, often spreading in the neck, jaw and down the arms. You should also be aware of the symptoms for stroke and act – which can be symbolized in the acronym - FAST – Facial twist, Arm weakness and slurred speech. – Time to call the ambulance service urgently.”

 

Anthony said that at the HSFB they offer courses that would assist persons in being able to provide basic care to anyone who is having a cardiac event.

 

“As a training centre in the American Heart Association (AHA) Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC), we offer courses in Heart Saver to the general public. We also offer in Basic and Advanced Life Support (BLS/ACLS) for health care providers both in Barbados and the centres throughout the Caribbean. We therefore encourage members of the public to register now for the Heart Saver course and learn the skills necessary to save a life with the AED! In the words of the AHA 2016 ECC philosophy statement – ‘Life is Why!’”

 

Accordingly, she thanked the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Barbados, for donating these AEDs as they would greatly enhance the Foundation’s efforts in reducing heart disease and stroke.

 

“These life-saving pieces of equipment will be used within our established Emergency Cardiac Care Programme to train persons on its use and application with a victim who has suffered from a cardiac event. A cardiac event can occur at any location and at any time and these portable electronic devices can, along with CPR, greatly increase the victim’s chance of survival according to the American Heart Association. The American Heart Association reports that a ‘victim’s chance of survival decreases by seven to 10 per cent for every minute that passes without defibrillation.’” (PJT)