Chandigarh
30 September 2023
DIVYA AZAD
Fortis Hospital Mohali in collaboration with Chandigarh Press Club, Sector 27, held a special Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Session for more than 100 members on the club premises here today. Aimed at addressing the recent surge in heart attacks among young individuals, the workshop was designed to equip participants with essential skills to respond effectively to health-related emergencies.
The workshop was conducted by Dr RK Jaswal, Head of Department and Director of Cardiology and Director – Cathlabs, Fortis Hospital Mohali. The participants were also given free health vouchers, which can be availed for cardiac tests at Fortis Mohali.
BLS is a practical life-saving technique that combines CPR, first aid, and other critical skills necessary to sustain life during emergencies such as heart attacks. During the workshop, media personnel were provided hands-on training in CPR, emphasizing on the significance of a quick and effective CPR. Practical demonstration was also given to interested individuals on how to identify the warning signs, promptly assess the situation, and provide immediate care until professional medical assistance is available. An insightful health talk on the importance of early recognition and intervention during a heart attack or cardiac emergency was also delivered by Dr Jaswal.
“Close to 7.5 lakh people who die due to sudden cardiac death in the country can be saved if people around know hands-only CPR. Since most of these sudden attacks occur outside the hospital, it becomes our duty as health providers to make the society CPR Smart,” said Dr RK Jaswal. CPR from a bystander can increase the chances of survival, and that’s why Fortis aims to make the Tricity CPR-Smart via our ‘Hands on Heart Club’, he added.
There are a lot of misconceptions about cardiac health, said Dr Arun Kumar, founder-member of Fortis Hands on Heart Club, an initiative that is aimed at raising awareness about Basic Life Support (BLS) and First Aid techniques in the society, thus making each person a potential lifesaver. He added, “For instance, many think that heart attack and cardiac arrest is the same thing. But the truth is that cardiac arrest is not just another heart attack. A sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) occurs when the heart stops beating, abruptly and without warning. If this happens, blood stops flowing to the brain and other vital organs. In addition, if the heartbeat is not restored with an electrical shock immediately, death follows within minutes. Whereas, a heart attack is a condition which results in permanent damage to the heart muscle. It happens when the flow of oxygen-rich blood to a section of heart muscle suddenly becomes blocked and the heart can’t get enough oxygen.”
