To raise awareness among local women that heart disease is their #1 health threat, the Center for Cardiovascular Health at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, in conjunction with Rescue, Inc. today announces free Rapid CPR training.
Rescue, Inc. representatives will be onsite in the lobby of the Richards Building at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital on Wednesday, February 19 and 26, from 12:00 – 1:00 PM.
Rapid CPR, also known as hands only CPR, skips the “mouth to mouth” breathing, relying on rapid chest compressions instead, which has been proven to be as effective as regular CPR until help arrives. Rescue, Inc. will be onsite with mannequins to provide this training free of charge. No registration is required.
Recently, the American Heart Association endorsed this method of CPR. “First responders are more likely to jump in and start CPR if they don’t need to perform mouth to mouth resuscitation,” said Brian Richardson, Paramedic & BMH EMS Liaison. “By dialing 911 to report a person who has collapsed, stopped breathing and is non-responsive, then starting rapid chest compressions until emergency responders arrive, saves precious time for the individual.”
February heart health activities at the Center for Cardiovascular Health at BMH are in partnership with The Heart Truth, a national awareness campaign warning women about their risk of heart disease. The campaign is sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in partnership with The Office on Women’s Health (OWH) and other organizations committed to the health and well-being of women.
About The Heart Truth
Although significant progress has been made in increasing awareness among women that heart disease is their #1 killer (from 34 percent in 2000 to 69 percent in 2009) most fail to make the connection between its risk factors and their personal risk of developing heart disease. A nationwide campaign, The Heart Truth, is underway to raise awareness that women need to protect their heart.
The Heart Truth created and introduced the Red Dress as the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness in 2002 to deliver an urgent wake-up call to American women. The Red Dress® reminds women of the need to protect their heart health and inspires them to take action.
This national campaign is building awareness of women’s heart disease and empowering women to reduce and prevent their risk. It is reaching women with important heart health messages in community settings through a diverse network of national and grassroots partner organizations.
For more information about women and heart disease, including materials such as The Healthy Heart Handbook for Women and fact sheets about women and heart disease, please visit http://www.hearttruth.gov or call the NHLBI Health Information Center at 301-592-8573.
