Is There a Better Way to Cure Tension Headaches?

If you are a workaholic investment banker or a desperate student going through final examination hell, you would probably be suffering from stress related headaches. Excedrin Tension Headache will fix that pounding pain in no time.

They are made up of 500 grams of acetaminophen (paracetamol) and 65 grams of caffeine (the dose is less than a cup of coffee but slightly higher than a can of coke).

Please adhere to the guidelines of consuming the medication such as not taking extra doses than what is prescribed or recommended. Side effects range from the more severe one such as liver damage to the less serious condition such as insomnia.

Do not consume more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day when you are on Excedrin Tension Headache. If you are an alcoholic liver disease patient or a concerned individual who are prone to allergies towards medication, do get your physician's advice before taking the medication.

Do follow the advice stated on the label on the recommended method in ingesting the tablets. Place the orally disintegrated tablets on the tongue and swallow several times to dissolve the tablet slowing without chewing it. Consider drinking liquid if you have difficulty swallowing the tablets.

A missed dosage is acceptable, and consume once you remember but keep in mind that a double dosage is unnecessary even if the next dose is near. Abuse of the medication may lead to side effects so immediate medical attention should be followed after.

Excedrin Tension Headache is mainly to medicate headaches caused by stress and one should follow the instructions stated on the packaging. Stress management is also important besides taking the medication.

D-mannose - The Natural Medication For Cystitis

Nowadays, several people suffer from bladder infection. The disease effects people from all age group and gender wither men, women, children or adults. However, the disease is mainly found in women who have shorter urethra. Thus, a short anatomy leads to frequent transfer of the bacterium from the anus to the urinary bladder. The infection also effects people who are can't empty their urinary bladder at the time of urinary secretion.

Therefore, people are advised to consume D-mannose, a GlycoNutrient sugar that cures the lower urinary tract infection within two or three days. The infection is caused due to attack of Ecoli bacteria on the urinary bladder. This harmful bacterium sticks itself to the bladder walls and leads to frequent or urgent urine secretion. Some people also experience pain while secreting the natural waste. Hence, the condition can get worse, if you won't take immediate precautions. Later on, the infection can also travel to the upper urinary parts and lead to kidney infections.

Once an individual consume D-mannose, the sugar solution flows through the body and enters into the urinary bladder. This natural medicine attracts Ecoli bacteria towards itself. Hence, the bacterium moves from away from the bladder walls and sticks with the D-mannose molecules. Later on, the bacterium is flushed out of the human body in the next urine secretion. Therefore, it removes the harmful bacterium from the urinary system and cures bladder infections.

Hence, if your body is showing symptoms of urine infections, then consult a doctor and get immediate medication before the infection aggravates. Generally, doctors advise to consume one to seven tablespoons of D-mannose in a day. However, the intake may depend on your age and level of infection.

Moreover, always consume 100% natural D-mannose, since an artificially made medication can show adverse effects on your body.

So, consume D-mannose and get relief from painful bladder infection.

Treatment Options For Nasal Polyps

Nasal polyps are soft, jelly-like overgrowths occurring in the lining of sinuses. They appear as grayish grape-like mass in the nasal cavity. Polyps in the nose and sinuses are rarely malignant. But large polyps can cause nasal blockage, making it hard to breathe. Even so, most nasal polyp problems can be helped.

Nasal polyps occur in around 1 in 200 people. Most of the time, the cause is never known. Some may be a result of swelling from a sinus infection. Other factors like asthma or aspirin sensitivity and allergies may also trigger polyps and make them grow faster. Also, the chance of re-occurrence is greater even after sinus operations.

Polyps block the nose, and in most cases there is a decrease in the sense of smell. Since much of our sense of taste is related to our sense of smell, patients with polyp may describe a loss of both taste and smell.

Nasal obstruction can also occur - the pathways where the sinuses drain into the nose can be blocked by polyp. This would cause the mucous to remain in the sinuses, causing congestion. It can also cause pressure over the forehead and face. When mucous is in the sinuses too long, there is a high risk of infection.

Although most people with nasal polyps have no symptoms and require no treatment, those who do experience symptoms have different treatment options.

If the polyps are a result of a sinus infection, they often will be treated as how sinusitis symptoms are treated. Aggressive medical treatment of sinus infection is helpful to treat polyp growths. Nose sprays are the most effective because they allow easy topical application of medication to the infected areas.

Other treatment options include:
*Surgical removal - the polyp is extracted surgically from the affected area. Removing the polyps with surgery usually allows people to breathe easier through the nose. The surgery lasts approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. The surgery can be done under general or local anaesthesia, and the polyps are removed using endoscopic surgery. Recovery from this type of surgery is anywhere from one to three weeks. However, there is a risk of re-growth in 50% of patients.

*Cortisone or steroids - the polyp will shrink down temporarily and slow down polyp growth. Cortisone cannot be taken long term because of high risk of side effects.

*Sinus Rinse or Nasal Lavage - Sinus rinses with warm water mixed with a small amount of salt can be very helpful to clear sinuses. This method can also be used as a preventive measure to discourage the polyps from growing back and should be used in combination with a nasal steroid.

*Allergy desensitization injections- sometimes used in allergic patients with hay fever and polyps. While this often helps with hay fever and therefore reduces the fever's negative effects on the polyps, there is no guarantee that the injections help shrink the polyps directly.

*Although there is no real way to prevent or eliminate nasal polyps completely, therapy aimed at the cause can help.

Death By Sudden Cardiac Arrest - All The Facts You Don't Want To Know, And A few You Do

Of the many diseases that afflict mankind, sudden cardiac arrest is among the most insidious. Basically, it is the sudden, unexpected cessation of all regular heart activity. As you'll read later, there is a little more to it than that - but this is a good, workable definition for now.

The Problem

Sudden cardiac arrest, or SCA, although more common among the elderly, is not limited to a particular age group. Children, athletes, people in the prime of life, just about anyone can experience SCA. The reason lies in the fact that there are a number of different triggering factors. One of the more common is the regular heart attack, where one or both of the coronary arteries become blocked by fatty deposits and plaque, causing reduced blood supply to the heart muscle. In fact, sudden cardiac arrest is often preceded by one or more heart attacks. Other triggering factors include: congestive heart disease; sudden, heavy impact to the chest area; and congenital (present at birth) heart defects.

Survival rates among sudden cardiac arrest victims are quite dismal. Less than five per cent of people suffering cardiac arrest outside of a medical facility survive. This is in great part due to the fact that a person only has approximately four to six minutes to receive medical attention before the onset of brain and body death. The time-frame is painfully short because of what happens to the heart during sudden cardiac arrest.

Unlike a heart attack, in the case of sudden cardiac arrest an electrical malfunction occurs in the lower chambers of the heart, causing it to "fibrillate". Fibrillation is a condition where the heart ceases to beat, instead going into a chaotic quivering motion. Because this happens in the lower chambers of the heart known as the ventricles, it is known as the ventricular fibrillation. At this point the body and brain are no longer receiving oxygen and unless the heart resumes normal beating within several minutes, brain damage then body death will follow.

Over 250,000 deaths a year occur in the US due to sudden cardiac arrest. So what can we do about it? Well, in the first place, a knowledge of CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), is great for anyone to have under their belt - especially those of us who live with people who have known heart disease and are at high risk of heart problems. This can be used on a victim of sudden cardiac arrest, but it's rate of success is poor.

So What Can Be Done?

The ideal solution would be to have a defibrillator near the victim at the time of the crisis. But home-use, portable defibrillators are very under-used today, mainly because the public is not as aware of them as they should be. This is the same basic device paramedics use on victims of sudden cardiac arrest once they reach the scene. Unfortunately, due to the small widow of opportunity open to save the person's life, these attempts often arrive too late.

Automated external defibrillators are not new, but, in their present form (since about the mid 90's) they really have become a new and revolutionary device. Once only seen in the hands of trained professionals, they can now be bought for less than the cost of an overnight stay at your local hospital (Ok, I know, so can a trip to the Bahamas or a hundred year old Ming Vase - well why don't I be a little more specific). You can pick one up for well under $1,500, possibly even under a thousand if you're willing to shop around.

They are able to talk a non-trained rescuer through the entire defibrillation process - and that after determining if defibrillation is even necessary. Some units will even talk the rescuer through CPR if it is needed.

So what does this mean for people at most risk?

It means they don't have to worry about the paramedics' arriving "too late". These devices are portable. If they want to go out to dinner or the movies, they can take it along. If the worst does happen they can rest easier in the knowledge that survival rates increase from 5% to around 75% if defibrillation is administered within several minutes of the onset of sudden cardiac arrest.

Sudden cardiac arrest has been tamed by the introduction of this new breed of defibrillator. What we need now is more public awareness and education. And we need to see more portable defibrillators in homes (where 80% of victims are when SCA strikes) and offices around the county.

We also need to see portable defibrillators available in schools, colleges, and universities. It's not uncommon to hear of young athletes or college students suffering cardiac arrest and dieing because medical crews couldn't reach the scene in time.

What to expect

Given that some of the above positives happen, we should someday see mortality rates from sudden cardiac arrest begin a dramatic decline. But let's hope it happens sooner rather than later.
Spread the word won't you!?

And On That Note:

if you would like to increase awareness of this subject, copy and email this article to your local congressman or congresswoman - in fact anyone you know who might benefit from the information.

Alternative Blood Pressure Treatment - The Hawthorn Option

Every year millions of people are diagnosed with hypertension, or high blood pressure, and millions more develop it without ever being diagnosed. If you are someone trying to cope with high blood pressure, you know that it is not as simple as finding a safe and effective medication, and returning to business as usual. You realize that your doctor and/or pharmacist can advise you on an appropriate medication. You, however, are more interested in an alternative blood pressure treatment.

Your big concern with the traditional high blood pressure medications is that they all put you at risk of side effects, even if they are simultaneously lowering your blood pressure. You do not want to trade one known health problem for a possible host of other unknown ones.

Finding an alternative blood pressure treatment to replace your medicating will relieve you of the side effects issue, but if the natural treatment you choose is not effective, you will be back where you started. And natural treatments, if taken in excess for a lengthy period, can cause severe health issues of their own.

But if you have done you homework, and researched the safety of the various alternative blood pressure treatments, you probably know that one of the safest and most effective is hawthorn. Hawthorn has long been used in Europe and Asia as an alternative high blood pressure treatment, and recent scientific research has verified its efficacy.

How Hawthorn Works

Hawthorn reduces blood pressure [http://www.lower-highbloodpressure.com/Blood_Pressure_Machine/] by inhibiting an enzyme, angiotensin-converting enzyme, or ACE, which constricts the blood vessels. The newly dilated blood vessels let blood circulate more freely, reducing the blood pressure. Hawthorn also has a mild diuretic action, which decreases the volume of the blood, again lowering blood pressure. As an alternative blood pressure treatment, hawthorn has a double kick.

Implementing Other Measures

If your blood pressure reading is in the 140/90 to 160/100 range, but your overall health is good, you can discuss with your doctor the possibility of giving a hawthorn supplement a chance as an alternative blood pressure treatment. Even if he or she agrees, you will have to implement other lifestyle changes, like adjusting your diet to include more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products.

You'll also have to cut back on salt, caffeine, and fats, and increase your daily intake of water to one-half ounce for every pound of your body weight. If you use alcohol and tobacco, stop, and if you don't walk for between thirty and forty-five minutes a day, start. An alternative blood pressure treatment, if it is to work, requires a commitment from you.

Why You Need CPR Training

Over the weekend I was coming home from a night out, when somebody said "call 911" directly at me. I did it right away.

In CPR training they will tell you not yell out "Call 911" in to a crowd but to select somebody specific. In large groups, everybody assumes somebody else will take responsibility and nobody acts fast enough. You have to point or speak directly to specific people to have help arrive as quickly as possible. Fortunately the incident over the weekend did not require CPR and the injured man will most likely be okay.

Having CPR and first aid training can be necessary at any time. It's important to be trained to protect yourself, your family and strangers in need of assistance.

Five Reasons to get CPR training

1. By the time someone needs CPR they are dead. Their heart has stopped and they are no longer breathing. CPR at this point can only help a person until professionals arrive at the scene.

2. Being helpless in a crisis situation is a horrible feeling. When the victim is a friend or family member you will want to know how you can help. CPR is a life saving skill that can be crucial in a life or death situation. CPR training will also teach you what not to do in an emotional situation. For example, sometimes it's best not to move an injured person. If you are a parent your first instinct might be to pick up your child. This might not be the right thing to do and with proper training, you will learn what is helpful and what is potentially harmful.

3. CPR training teaches you how to handle a situation where you need to take control and give commands. "Hey you, in the yellow shirt call 911." "Hey you, with the glasses, wait over there to flag down the ambulance."

4. CPR training teaches you how to use a defibrillator. Defibrillators are located in many public spaces such as community centres, swimming pools and senior centres. They are good to have in public spaces but they are even better, if there are people around who are trained to use them.

5. CPR training will teach you how to keep yourself safe in an emergency situation. If something horrible has happened you need to know how to quickly analyze the scene for your own safety. Broken glass, possible explosions and bodily fluids are things you might not think about if you are running toward someone to help them out.

Being trained in CPR is crucial for anyone. More trained citizens means a safer and faster acting community.

Many organizations offer CPR training. Red Cross and St. John Ambulance as a couple of examples. The courses are not very long or expensive. It's definitely worth it!

Get Trained!

Three Top Defibrillator Manufacturers

The top defibrillator manufacturers include Zoll, Philips, and Medtronics. Each produces quality life saving devices that are used around the globe. Each offers products that have slightly different benefits from the others. All are excellent life saving products.

Zoll makes the smallest and lightest defibrillators. The smallest defibrillator weighs 5kg. This is about half the weight of similar defibrillators. It is approximately one-third the size of competing devices. Zoll is a leading producer of external defibrillators, producing some of the more popular portable defibrillators. Zoll designs its defibrillators specifically with medical professionals in mind. As a result, all Zoll defibrillation products share a common operating system, minimizing the need for training. Zoll's integrated information management system is state-of-the-art.

Philips manufactures a biphasic to monophasic defibrillator. It has an efficiency rate that produces a more significant return of spontaneous circulation, minimizing potential damage to victims. The HeartStart defibrillator is one of the most popular products manufactured by Philips. The HeartStart OnSite AED defibrillator is designed to be used by anyone just about anywhere. It was the first AED approved by the FDA to be sold over the counter to the general public. The display instructs the operator on proper use. Verbal instructions are provided as well. Easy to follow instructions ensures that anybody can use the device. The built-in safety features prevent accidental shock to the operator and heart attack victim.

Medtronic manufacturers the LIFEPAK 12, one of the most popular defibrillators used by emergency medical responders and on-site facilities such as clinics and hospitals. This defibrillator is small and portable, weighing only 14.5 pounds. This makes it easy to handle. A key feature of the LIFEPAK 12 is the Bluetooth wireless technology it uses to immediately transmit patient data to professionals. Medical professionals use the information to properly treat heart attack victims. The ability to get this on-demand information improves the chances for victim survival because professionals are able to immediately address conditions.

There are several high-quality defibrillator manufacturers today. Each offers unique life saving products. Do your research and know what your need is before making a purchase. Your specific personal or professional situation will determine the defibrillator that is your best fit. Make the right choice and be prepared to save a life!

Foods That Cause High Cholesterol

The much maligned substance known as cholesterol is actually a vital part of a normally functioning body. Not only does cholesterol give strength and stability to the cells in our bodies but it can increase the amount of vitamin D, it helps serotonin receptors to function and acts as a transport for antioxidants like vitamins E and A. However you rarely hear about this. More than likely you hear about cholesterol because too much is bad for your health. Specifically, too much can lead to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. As you get older you might be advised by your doctor to make lifestyle changes that lower cholesterol. One such way is to reduce your intake of foods that are high in cholesterol. This article will discuss foods that cause high cholesterol and ways to replace such foods.

There are two categories of food that need to be considered when thinking about cholesterol. There are animal products such as meat, eggs and dairy goods. These types of products have cholesterol from the animals that produced the foods. The second category are foods that are high in saturated fats and trans fats. These are normally processed foods that are cooked in oil or use trans fats as a flavor enhancer or preservative. In some cases, like a pre-cooked meat pie, the food may fit into both categories.

It has to be remembered that unless you are a vegan, it will be probably impossible to avoid eating food with cholesterol in it. The important thing is to eat it in moderation and exercise adequately. You can also follow some simple tips like drinking reduced fat milk. Or eating margarines with plant sterols in rather than butter. Also trim skin and fat off meat products and try grilling them rather than frying them. Only eat the whites of the eggs and leave thew yolk.

In terms of saturated and trans fats, look carefully at the processed foods you eat. Things like potato chips are high in saturated fats. Cakes and biscuits often utilize trans fats for flavor and as a preservative. Deep fried foods such as French fries should be eaten in moderation. Check the food labels on the packets. If there is a lot of saturated and trans fats then look for an alternative or avoid that type of product all together.

Another aspect of the cholesterol debate, is the eating of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates give us energy however if we don't use this energy each day, it is generally converted into fat. This can be converted to cholesterol. Thus, eating less carbohydrates and taking on regular exercise are also equally important as avoiding or moderating the intake of high cholesterol food.

It is a simple formula. Avoid fatty foods and try to eat fresh. Consume the right amount of carbohydrates for the level of activity you will be exerting and try to get regular exercise if your job is a low impact, physically undemanding role.

CPR Training From the Red Cross and the American Heart Association

Answer this question if you can. What is the one type of training that is required for nearly every profession? Teachers have to have it, lifeguards have to have it, most companies provide it for their employees, and these days, even babysitters are trained in it. Did you figure it out yet? Yes, you are right! It's CPR training.

CPR training, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation training, dates all the way back to 1740, when the Paris Academy of Sciences began recommending mouth to mouth resuscitation for drowning victims. Today, CPR classes are offered by the American Heart Association, the Red Cross, and many other licensed training organizations.

When you take a CPR course, an instructor will cover topics such as how to identify when you should perform CPR, the steps you should take before performing CPR, and how to perform CPR. Depending on the course you take, you will learn different techniques for performing CPR on infants, children, adults, and those who are disabled. Not only will you learn the process for performing CPR, you will also do practice tests on manikins.  

Many courses also involve first aid training, as well as training in the use of AED machines, or automatic external defibrillators. This is a machine that can be used to restart a stopped heart, and when used in combination with CPR, can greatly improve a person's chance of survival. AEDs are beginning to be seen in more and more public places, including in schools, in recreation centers, and in most city buildings.

CPR training instructors most often hold certifications from either the Red Cross or the American Heart Association, and must continually meet guidelines established for instructors. Many are also medical professionals, and continue to receive training and education on the latest CPR research and advancements. Finding a licensed CPR instructor is as easy as going to the Red Cross or American Heart Association websites, and clicking on the links that connect instructors with students.

Immediate use of CPR can double and sometimes triple the survival chances of someone who is in cardiac arrest. Knowing how to perform CPR, and being willing to step in during an emergency situation, can help you save the life of someone who is in cardiac arrest. So be a hero, and sign up for a CPR training.

Are You Interested In EMT Training?

People who want to work as an EMT have to complete EMT training. The emergency medical technician helps people in a medical emergency. The EMT is in most cases the first at the scene of an automobile accident or other instances when a trained medical person is needed.

The EMT also works in a hospital and assists emergency room nurses. The EMT can work anywhere people need emergency medical help. The work is rewarding, but can at times, be demanding. People who become an EMT are those who want to care for people in need, and welcome the challenge the profession brings.

There are different levels of EMT. The level one EMT is trained in basic life saving techniques such as CPR and basic first aid. CPR is used to help people that are not breathing. A person's brain has to have oxygen. If the flow is stopped, the brain can suffer permanent damage and even death can ensue. All emergency medical technicians are certified in methods to help people who have stopped breathing.

The level two EMT has more experience and training in helping those in a medical emergency. The level three EMT is certified to use equipment such as defibrillators. This is a device that is used to help restore the cardio system to a normal rhythm. People who are having a heart attack rely on those who are trained in emergency medical care. The emergency medical technician sometimes has to act quickly in order to help someone live through a heart attack.

A paramedic is a level four EMT. These emergency professionals can administer extensive medical care. They can give pain medication, do tracheotomies, and in essence are trained to do what is necessary to help a person in medical trouble survive the transport to the hospital.

People interested in this line of work can apply at a community college for training. There are also training programs offered by private organizations. When a person finishes training he or she can serve with an ambulance company or in a hospital. When a person has worked as a level one EMT, he or she can advance to the next levels.

This requires additional EMT training. Those who want to want to work as a paramedic should consider an associates or bachelors degree. This is tough job, but a rewarding one. This is a growing field and there are many job openings.

Anyone Can Save a Life with an AED

Automated External Defibrillators (AED) are becoming more and more prevalent in schools, airports, and public buildings all over the country. These fantastic devices have saved many lives that would have otherwise been lost simply because time is such a critical issue when it comes to heart related problems. Even though emergency response teams respond rapidly, having an AED on hand will enable an individual suffering from a heart attack or other heart related problem to survive until the paramedics arrive. Using an AED, anyone has the power to save a life!

According to the informative Web site Start A Heart, automated external defibrillators are lightweight, portable devices that can jumpstart a victim's heart by using an electrical pulse called a biphasic shock. Guiding the rescuer with a combination of simple and clear voice, text and graphical instructions, AEDs do nearly all of the work, enabling practically anyone save a life!

While training seminars will introduce to the correct methods of using an AED, many AED provide voice instructions and are practically fool proof. In fact, growing research suggests that AED are easier to use and often more effective than CPR! However, it is recommended that those likely to use an AED are complete a training course for defibrillators so that they know exactly know the device works.

The popularity of AED has catapulted this piece of life saving equipment from the obscure to the every day. Companies like Zoll, Welch Allyn and Phillips have introduced affordable AED that are now even practical for home use. For instance, Amazon.com carries the Phillips HeartStart for a competitive $1,295, while the advanced Zoll AED Plus is just $1,695. It is amazing that such a small investment can help you save a life; perhaps even your own! A growing number of grant programs have sprung up to fund public access defibrillators for places such as schools and government buildings.

A great many lives have been saved thanks to these fantastic Automated External Defibrillators in a variety of public places. From teenaged athletes with undiagnosed heart problems who suffer heart attacks while participating in their sport of choice to individuals who suffer a heart attack in their local mall or airport, AED are an excellent piece of technology that can literally decide between life and death. If you are in the position to, consider purchasing an AED for your home or place of business. Also, consider learning the correct methods of using an AED in the event of an emergency.

iPods, Pacemakers, and Interference

A recent news report suggested that pacemaker patients who used portable music players sometimes encountered a problem with their pacemakers called interference. The problem wasn't with the music player itself, but rather with the earbuds. Earbuds stored close to the implanted pacemaker can interfere with the pacemaker.

The surprising aspect to this report was that the music player did not have to be playing or even turned on for interference to occur and that the interference did not come from the device but rather from the harmless-looking earbuds. Up till now, it was thought that devices turned off or to some kind of passive setting did not pose an interference risk.

What the study looks like is that if a person has a portable music player, such as an iPod (iPod is just one of the best known types but there are many grands) and if the earbuds used with the device are placed in close proximity to the the upper chest area where the pacemaker is implanted, the earbuds might interfere with the device.

This is not a far-fetched scenario. When a person with this kind of portable music player is not listening to it, it's not unusual to drape the earbuds over the neck (sort of like the way doctors "wear" a stethoscope). That can put the earbuds right over the implant site.

Apparently, interference does not occur when the earbuds are in the ears or when the earbuds are kept away from the implant site--such as in a purse or backpack or even hip pocket.

Interference occurs when signals in the air get picked up by the pacemaker. Pacemakers have very "big ears." They listen for electrical signals. In fact, that is how pacemakers monitor the heart--they track its electrical activity and respond to it. While this normally works pretty well, an occasional stray electrical signal can cause the pacemaker to "think" it is hearing something the heart is doing when, in reality, it is sensing electrical interference, something doctors have nicknamed "noise."

Most pacemaker patients are told to avoid the most common sources of interference--things like arc welding equipment, bumper cars, industrial magnets, and being very close to high-tension lines. However, stray signals can sometimes interfere with pacemaker performance. Stray signals can come from small electronic devices (like earbuds), metal detectors, dentists' drills and so on. While such interference is not common, it can occur.

In most situations, the interference does not last very long. The pacemaker may start pacing or acting inappropriately because it doesn't interpret the stray signals correctly, but if the source of interference is removed, the pacemaker typically resumes normal operation. If a pacemaker person starts to feel lightheaded, woozy, or just peculiar in situations where they may be potential interference (around heavy machinery, certain power tools, security checkpoints), just stepping out of range can stop the interference.

Pacemakers are sensitive, but not all that sensitive. A source of interference far from a pacemaker patient does not pose a risk. For instance, most pacemaker manufacturers advise pacemaker people not to "linger" under a metal detector, but pacemaker patients do not have to avoid going near them.

If interference persists over a long time, the pacemaker may do something called "reset" or "backup" or "safety pacing." (This function is more or less the same in all brands of pacemakers except that different manufacturers call it by different names.) When the pacemaker thinks that there is interference is going on and it lasts for a certain amount of time, the pacemaker will automatically revert to a special type of pacemaker behavior that doctors call "asynchronous pacing." Asynchronous pacing is not the most sophisticated pacing prescription, but it gets the job done--it assures regular consistent pacing support.

If a pacemaker patient is exposed to interference long enough to "reset" the pacemaker, he or she will need to go to the pacemaker doctor to get the pacemaker reprogrammed. This is a very short and painless step that involves the doctor turning off the reset function and pushing a button on a remote device called a programmer to resume the old settings.

Pacemaker patients who love their portable music players need to take a few simple precautions. Now if having and using a portable music player is part of your lifestyle that you really cannot live without, you should make an appointment to discuss with your pacemaker doctor how to do this as safely as possible. On the other hand, just keeping the earbuds from your music player away from the pacemaker ... even if the device is not playing or turned off ... you should not experience any "noise" or interference.

Heart Ailments Treatment Made Easier

Heart ailments have been on the rise in the recent years. Most of the hospital admissions are due to heart diseases. Most common among the heart ailments is blockage in coronary arteries, which supply blood to heart, commonly called as Coronary Artery Disease (CAD).

Heart may also be affected by congenital heart defects that are present from birth in approximately 1% of new born babies; rheumatic heart disease, which affects the heart valves as they start leaking or become narrow, is on the decline as compared to past years.0.7 / 1000 children are affected by RHD. At present there are 1.4 million persons suffering from RHD in India.

Lot of advances is taking place in the management of heart ailments. A few years ago only treatment available for most of the heart ailments was either with medicines or surgery. Thanks to the newer development in the field of interventional cardiology, where most of the curative treatment is done through a very small cut (1mm) in groin or the wrist artery.

All these measures are being adopted to give maximum comfort to the patient with minimum risk. 26 years ago only treatment available for the blocked arteries was to surgically bypass the blockage.

But now many cases can be managed by a very simple procedure called Angioplasty. During Angioplasty a balloon is inflated in the blocked artery at the site of blockage and then a metal stent is fixed in the region to prevent vessel collapse.

Though this treatment is very simple and patient walks about after 12 hours & back to work after 48 hours, it carries risk of re-blockage in 15-20% of the cases, particularly in those suffering from Diabetes mellitus (Sugar problem).

However, with the availability of various medicated stents this problem has been overcome to a great extent though not totally abolished; re-blockage takes place in 4-7% of the cases, which is at par with the surgical results.

Furthermore due to availability of newer drugs to prevent the clotting of the blood there is further improvement in the long term results.

Besides coronary artery disease, interventional cardiological procedures now also find application in greater number of heart diseases like Rheumatic Valvular Heart Disease, Septal Defects and AMI.

These were earlier being treated with medication and surgery but can now days also be treated with Interventions.

This perfect harmony between technology skill and desire to serve humanity has created wonders and brought a revolution in the field of medicines.

Statins - Yes Or No?

Statins are the most effect cholesterol lowering drugs available on the market. They are able to effectively lower and reduce the levels of bad cholesterol in the blood as well as dramatically reduce the number of cardiovascular related diseases and deaths.

How do they work?

Statins work by reducing the level of LDL cholesterol in the blood by stimulating the LDL receptors in the liver. While these drugs are generally safe with few side-effects, side-effects that can occur are skeletal muscle damage and increased liver enzymes. Also, once one begins taking statins to lower cholesterol, chances are they will be on the medication the rest of their life. For this reason, statins are often prescribed as a last resort.

Other cholesterol lowering techniques that have proven successful are diet and exercise. Studies show that maintaining a healthy weight helps regulate cholesterol levels. If you are currently overweight some weight loss tips are as follows: Cut out trans fats. Trans fats also are a contributing factor to high cholesterol. By simply cutting back on the foods with trans fats, the need for cholesterol lowering drugs is reduced.

Also people are able to lose weight with hoodia gordonii. This is a naturally growing plant in the African desert and has been used for thousands of years with no known side effects.

Quitting bad habits such as smoking and drinking can help quickly reduce the need for statins. By kicking these habits, less stress is put on the arteries and the liver is also better able to perform its function, and reduce the need for cholesterol lowering drugs.

Things to Consider When Purchasing an AED

An Automated External Defibrillator, or AED, is a critical piece of lifesaving equipment for schools, public buildings, offices, and even residences. Consider purchasing an AED if you are concerned about the health and safety of individuals in your place of business or at home. These life saving devices are considered to be easier to utilize and more effective than CPR in helping heart attack victims. Countless lives have been saved through an electrical charge to the heart delivered by simply pressing a button. If you are interested in purchasing an AED, there are several items to consider in order to ensure you purchase a defibrillator that best fits your specific needs. Though most AEDs will never need to be used, you'll want to be sure that you have an effective and well maintained device on hand in case an emergency ever does happen.

AEDs are lightweight, portable devices that can jumpstart a victim's heart by using an electrical pulse called a biphasic shock. Guiding the rescuer with a combination of simple and clear voice, text and graphical instructions, AEDs do nearly all of the work, enabling practically anyone save a life!

The AED resource Web site Start A Heart suggests that, as with any piece of technology, you first familiarize yourself with the most popular models. There are several companies that market high quality Automated External Defibrillators, including Phillips, Medtronic, and Heartsine. Each of these companies offers similar easy-to-use and highly effective AEDs, though with slight variations. Most are portable and long lasting and offer simple, clear voice instructions on how to restart a heart.

The next thing to consider when purchasing an AED is to look to the purpose of your purchase. Some simple AEDs are meant to be stored away until their call duty, while more sophisticated devices are deployed frequently by rescue professionals. If you are looking for an AED for a school campus, consider purchasing a device that is specifically made for the pediatric use. For example, the Phillips HeartStart comes in different models for children and adults. This is a critical distinction since children may not be able to handle the same impact of a shock to the heart that a grown man or woman can sustain. If you are looking for a device that can safely shock both children and adults, consider finding a machine that has an adaptable setting to accommodate all ages and sizes.

Many individuals are overly concerned regarding the size of the Automated External Defibrillator. Modern AEDs are very small and portable, so those huge, hulking models commonly found in operating rooms or emergency rooms will not take up valuable space and can be easily transported to a nearby location. Also, this size allows the price to be a great deal more affordable than the monsters found in hospitals or doctors offices. Quality AEDs start at about $1,200, though refurbished models can be found for under $1,000.

Regardless or your reasons for purchasing an Automated External Defibrillator, consider doing so today. Your purchase could literally save a life and should not be delayed by any means. If necessary, consider a fundraiser to raise the necessary fees when purchasing an AED for a school, office, or public place. An AED at your fingertips can literally make the difference between life and death when it comes to dealing with heart related emergencies.

Leading Cause of Death in US

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, killing one person every 34 seconds. The term heart disease encompasses more than just one condition. It encompasses eight different conditions affecting the heart, all of which can be fatal.

Those eight conditions are coronary heart disease, cardiomyopathy, cardiovascular disease, ischaemic heart disease, heart failure, hypertensive heart disease, inflammatory heart disease and valvular heart disease.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the failure of the coronary circulation to provide enough blood and oxygen to the cardiac muscle. This is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. It is caused by the shrinking of the small blood vessels that provide blood and oxygen to the heart. This takes place when plague and fats build up on the artery walls, ultimately narrowing them. Certain factors that come into play for someone to suffer from CHD are age, diabetes, high blood pressure, bad cholesterol, obesity, smoking, lack of physical activity and even menopause. Treatments for patients with CHD include a coronary artery bypass surgery, exercise and dieting, quitting smoking and/or minimally invasive heart surgery.

Cardiomyopathy literally means heart muscle disease. Patients that suffer from cardiomyopathy are at risk for arrhythmia or sudden cardiac death because cardiomyopathy is the deterioration of the actual heart and its functions. Treatment for this condition includes a pacemaker, ventricular assist devices, defibrillators and medicine.

Cardiovascular disease involves the heart or blood vessels and is treated by cardiologists, neurologists and thoracic surgeons. This disease was the leading cause of death in the United States and Europe until 2005. This condition has to be prevented starting in childhood with proper eating habits and exercise. Avoiding smoking also helps to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Ischaemic heart disease is the reduced flow of blood supply to the organs due to coronary artery disease. It is usually diagnosed in people that smoke, are older in age, or are diabetic.

Heart failure is the result of the heart not being able to pump enough blood into itself or throughout the rest of the body. Most patients who suffer from heart failure will have shortness of breath when simply walking from point to point. This is due to the failure of the left ventricle which causes obstruction of the pulmonary capillaries.

Hypertensive heart disease includes a number of hypertensive complications that affects the heart. Symptoms are weight gain, fatigue, nausea, bloating, an irregular pulse or swelling of the feet.

Inflammatory heart disease is the inflammation of the heart muscle and the tissue surrounding it. There can be inflammation of the heart valves or inflammation of the muscular part of the heart.

Valvular heart disease involves one or more of the valves of the heart and problems with the valves can occur at birth or can be acquired throughout life due to other causes. Treatment of this condition is with medicine or replacement of the heart valves.

Heart disease, whichever condition a patient has, can be difficult to deal with but can be placed under control if detected early and treated properly.

High Schools and CPR - A Matter of Life and Death

Three hundred people die from cardiac arrest each day while students spend their day in high school classes. Furthermore, about 900 people in the United States die from cardiac arrest every day, making it the largest cause of death among Americans. One of the easiest ways to reduce the number of deaths cardiac arrest claims is to train more people how to give CPR and how to use Automatic External Defibrillators (AED). Teenagers comprise a large group of the population that are often uneducated on these skills. Preparing the next generation through CPR/AED training is quite literally a matter of life and death.

While many schools do offer CPR training to their high school students, most have not made it mandatory to take such courses. What keeps schools from training these valuable skills to their students? Often, class periods are not long enough to teach CPR courses, which typically last at least four hours. Another setback schools often encounter is a lack of sufficient funds to train each and every student. The good news is that these obstacles can be overcome by the use of new training materials designed to reduce the cost and time it takes to train students in CPR/AED. For example, the American Heart Association provides CPR training in schools. Heartsaver CPR In Schools, provided by the AHA, is a great course that is taught by certified instructors on-site at schools. Students learn how to give CPR and use an AED by practicing with a video and following along in workbooks. For more information about this course, contact the American Heart Association.

Another option is using online CPR training classes. These courses are a great method for implementing affordable student CPR/AED training in schools. While there are several online CPR/AED courses on the market, you will want to choose one that provides a no-hassle method of training, by overseeing the entire process from start to finish. These courses should be created and conducted by an AHA or Red Cross certified trainer who can communicate with students that have questions. Keep in mind the overall package when considering a CPR/AED online course. Some online trainers will make the process easier on educators than others, by providing affordable rates, grading the student work, and even sending the reports to the appropriate teachers.

With hundreds of people dying daily from cardiac arrest, schools should be held responsible for providing the basic training needed to help in the midst of a medical crisis. It is my hope that within the next five years all high schools will require students to pass a CPR/AED course. By following this plan we can minimize the effect of cardiac arrest in future generations, and lessen the amount of people affected by this disease every day. If we train students today they can save lives tomorrow. You can help by contacting your local high school today and let them know how important you think it is to train teenagers in these life-saving skills.

Fish Oil In the Prevention of Heart Disease

Studies of fish oils and extract in the form of pills and formulas for heart disease have not been uniformly promising. The best results are for patients with a history of heart attack. In the GSSI Prevenzione Study, 11,000 Italian post heart attack patients on standard medication therapy who took 850 mg of omega-3 fatty acids (present in fish oil) each day had a 45% reduction in cardiac health (GISSI. 1999). In another study extracts of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids also led to a significant reduction in heart attacks in men with heart disease (Burr et al 1989). Contrary to public opinion and to what you read in the papers, however, omega-3 fatty acids will not prevent heart disease.

A recent analysis of the studies of omega-3 fatty acids looked at 41 studies with a total of 36,913 participants (Hooper et al 2006). This analysis showed no reduction in cardiovascular events or total mortality with omega-3 supplementation using fish oils and other supplements. There was a 7% increase in cancer, which was not statistically significant.

In the Study on Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Ventricular Arrhythmia (SOFA) study, 546 patients with implantable fibrillators and ventricular arrhythmias were randomized to receive 2g/day fish oil or placebo. Thirty percent of the fish oil group had their defibrillator go off or died compared to 33% of the placebo group (not a significant difference) (Brouwer et al 2006).

In addition to not helping to prevent heart disease, omega-3 fatty acids in the form of fish oil supplements may even cause harm in some heart disease patients. In the DART-2 study 3114 men with stable angina (chest pain) were randomly assigned to receive omega-3 supplements or placebo. Instead of protection from heart disease, the omega-3 group had a statistically significant increase in sudden death and cardiac death (Burr et al 2003). The excess of deaths was seen more in those taking fish oil capsules than in those eating oily fish. In another study (Leaf et al 2003) 200 patients with a history of a potentially lethal heart arrhythmia called ventricular tachycardia were given omega-3s or placebo. The supplements increased the amount of potentially lethal ventricular tachycardias.

Fish oil supplements or other food products to which omega-3 fatty acids have been added do not prevent heart disease in people without a history of heart disease and have questionable beneficial effects in people with a history of heart disease. I do not recommend taking them unless you have had a heart attack, and in that case you should confer with your doctor since they may exacerbate heart arrhythmias. You can get these effects by eating the foods like fish that contain Omega-3, and people that ate those foods in the clinical trials did better than people who took the supplements. In addition, if you take too many fish oil supplements you might end up smelling like a fish! Better to eat a 4-6 ounce serving of seafood in your diet at least twice a week).

Brouwer IA, Zock PL, Camm AJ, et al (2006): Effect of fish oil on ventricular tachyarrhythmia and death in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators: The study on Omega-3 fatty acids and ventricular arrhthmia (SOFA) randomized trial. Journal of the American Medical Association 295:2613-2619.

Burr ML, Ashfield-Watt PAL, Dunstan FDJ, Fehily AM, Breay P, Ashton T (2003): Lack of benefit of dietary advice to men with angina: results of a controlled trial. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 57:193-200.

Burr ML, Fehily AM, Gilbert JF, Rogers S, Holliday RM, Sweetnam PM (1989): Effects of changes in fat, fish, and fibre intakes on death and myocardial reinfarction. Lancet 2:757-761.

GISSI. (1999): GISS-Prevenzione Investigators (Gruppo Italiano per lo Studio della Sopravvivenza Nell'Infarto Miocardio). Dietary supplementation with n-2 polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E after myocardial infarction: results of the GISSI-Prevenzione Trial. Lancet 354:447-455.

Hooper L, Thompson RL, Harrison RA, et al (2006): Risks and benefits of omega 3 fats for mortality, cardiovascular disease, and cancer: systematic review. Bmj 332:752-60.

Leaf A, Kang JX, Xiao Y-F, Billman GE (2003): Clinical presentation of sudden cardiac death by n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and mechanism of prevention of arrhythmias by n-3 fish oils. Circulation 107:2646-2652.

A Growing Market in Used Gurneys Examined

Believe it or not there is a market out there just about anything. Think of something, anything and you can bet that right now there is someone out there looking to buy it. So, what about used gurneys? The fact, is that there is a growing market for them and it is increasing every day.

A Growing Market Demand

So, you might ask yourself, what would someone want a used gurney for? The simple answer to that question, is that there are many uses for used gurneys and some of them may surprise you. Also, the cost of a new gurney may be equally as surprising and this is the fuel behind the exploding market in used gurneys.

Overseas and Third World Medical Facilities

The biggest market by far for used gurneys is overseas medical facilities. In places such as many countries in Latin America and African hospitals and clinics they just don't have the financial resources that it takes to buy brand new gurneys. Also, with so many other equally pressing needs, these overseas facilities have to manage their financial resources carefully.

A Growing Demand In Manufacturing

Another surprising use for used gurneys is in manufacturing. It turns out that used gurneys makes excellent vehicles for transporting delicate items around a facility. Be it a piece of fine sculpture or a delicate piece of mechanical or electronics gear, a used gurney contains all of the features that are needed for safe and efficient moving and handling.

A Surprising Number of Choices in Brand Names and Functions

Many people are initially surprised at all the choices that they have in a used gurney when they begin shopping for one. For one thing there are several common brand names that can be found on them. Also, there are any number of convenience features and functions to select from as well, including of course both manual and electronic elevator function.

What is Heart Disease?

UNDERSTANDING THE BASICS OF YOUR HEART AND HEART DISEASE

Understand the basics associated with your heart and blood vessels. Here you will get an understanding of all the different types of cardiovascular disease that can be confusing. Get a basic overview of cardiovascular disease and the conditions that can affect your heart and blood vessels.

You probably hear a lot about preventing heart disease. But maybe you're not sure what heart disease is. Is it the same thing as cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease or other heart terms you sometimes see?

With many medical terms related to the heart and blood vessels, it's no wonder you may be puzzled or confused. Here you will have a chance to brush up on some basic terms about cardiovascular disease (CVD) that can help you stay more informed. This can then help you when you're watching the news or meeting with your doctor.

The first term to know is Cardiovascular Disease or CVD. CVD is a broad term. CVD is a large collection of diseases and conditions.

If you want to be technical, CVD refers to any disorder in any of the various parts of your heart system. Your cardiovascular system consists of your heart and all the blood vessels throughout your whole body.

Cardiovascular disease has two main mechanisms:

Diseases of the Heart (cardio)

Diseases of the Blood Vessels (vascular)

Everything from an aneurysm to a heart attack to varicose veins are all types of CVD. You may be born with a type of CVD (congenital) or you may acquire others later on in life possibly from a lifetime of unhealthy habits, lack of exercise, smoking, and other factors.

Here's a closer look at the two mechanisms of cardiovascular disease.

Diseases of the Heart

The diseases and conditions that affect the heart are in a group known as heart disease. The heart consists of a muscle that pumps blood. Arteries supply blood to the heart muscle, and the valves make sure that the blood within the heart is pumped in the right direction. Problems can occur in any of these areas.

Just like CVD, Heart Disease is a broad term.

Here are the specific types of heart disease:

**Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

**Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)

**Cardiomyopathy

**Valvular heart disease

**Pericardial disease

**Congenital heart disease

**Heart failure (CHF)

Diseases of the Blood Vessels

Blood vessels are in basic terms hollow tubes that carry blood to the organs and tissues throughout your body.

There are 4 basic types of blood vessels:

Arteries.

These blood vessels carry oxygenated blood to all parts of the body

Veins.

These blood vessels carry deoxygenated blood back to your heart. That is why they have a bluish cast to their color

Capillaries.

These are tiny vessels that connect your arteries and veins.

Lymphatics.

Fluid that leaks out of your capillaries in order to bathe your cells.

Here are some types of blood vessel disorders:

**Arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis

**High blood pressure (HBP) or Hypertension (HTN)

**Stroke

**Aneurysm

**Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) and claudication

**Vasculitis

**Venous incompetence

**Venous thrombosis or blood clot

**Varicose veins

**Lymphedema

Heart Disease is a serious condition. Watch your fatty food intake, smoking, as well as your sweet tooth intake. Both can cause serious heart problems.

It is best to start out slow when changing your diet. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is a great way to start.

Determining the Price of Your Defibrillator

When you look at the price of a defibrillator, you need to consider the financial and physical costs of the device.

Financial Costs of a Defibrillator

Purchasing a life saving device is not cheap. The price of a defibrillator varies widely. It is dependent upon many factors including the type of procedure you have and your insurance coverage. Patients with really good insurance will not pay nearly as much money as patients who are not well covered.

In 2003, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a defibrillator that is considered to be "low-cost." The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) system, which is placed in a person's chest through a surgical procedure, costs roughly $10,000. Other defibrillator's come with a price tag that's more than double this cost.

The $10,000 or more fee for the device is only the beginning of the financial price of your defibrillator. The $10,000 does not include the hospital stay for the operation. A person generally spends at least one to three days in the hospital after the surgery. You'll also have to pay for the doctors and nurses to work on you. You'll also have to pay for any follow up medications and procedures. After a person undergoes this type of surgery, they will be put through a series of tests to ensure that device is working correctly. These also cost money.

The only way to get a surefire estimate on the price of your defibrillator is to talk to your doctor and talk to your insurance company. They will be able to give you a rough idea of the cost based on your individual situation.

Physical Costs of a Defibrillator

Though the litany of financial costs may be overwhelming, there are other, more important costs to figure into the price of your defibrillator. If you're in need of a defibrillator, your health is at risk. No one goes to their doctor and says, "I feel like getting a defibrillator today. Do you think you could fit me in?"

People get defibrillators because their health is at risk and if they don't get one, they will suffer severe consequences. So, when you're trying to swallow the financial price of the defibrillator, think about the value of your life. Is it more important to save money? Or, is it more important to live and increase your quality of life? This sounds morbid, but this kind of thinking can really put the financial price of the defibrillator into perspective.

On the flip side, you also need to consider the physical harm that could come from getting a defibrillator. Surgery is always risky and could result in death. You could also get a defective defibrillator, though doctors check these to make sure they're working after the surgery.

Spin-off Defibrillator Costs

If you want to get technical, you could factor potential spin-off costs into your defibrillator price. This would include the cost of long-term care for any problems related to the surgery. These costs may also include attorney fees, which could come about in the event of a medical malpractice suit.

Though these costs can occur, most people can estimate their defibrillator price by talking to their insurance company and doctor.

Understanding A Defibrillator Implant

A defibrillator implant is a tiny device that's placed in a person's heart to detect abnormal heartbeats. When a person's heart beats too quickly or starts to beat erratically, this electronic device sends a power boost to the heart. The energy gives the heart muscle enough strength to get back on track.

Of course we're not born with a defibrillator. To get a defibrillator implant you have to undergo a two-to-five hour surgery. Generally those who get defibrillator implants have also had heart attacks. For example, Vice President Dick Cheney had a defibrillator placed in his chest after he had a heart attack.

How Does It Work?

A defibrillator implant works like a tiny little computer. Instead of storing articles and financial programs, a defibrillator implant records heartbeats. When it detects and abnormal heartbeat, it kicks in.

Defibrillator implants are made up of two parts, the lead and the generator. The lead checks the heart rhythms and carries energy to the heart when fast or irregular rhythms are detected. The generator is the brains behind the lead. It decides what to do with the rhythms. When it detects irregular beats, it sends the energy through the leads. The "energy" is a battery that's housed in the generator.

Preparing for a Defibrillator

During your lifetime, you or someone you love might have to get a defibrillator. Getting a defibrillator implant is serious. It's a surgical procedure that requires a patient to be put under. Many of these surgeries are successful and many defibrillator recipients go on to lead long, healthy lives, but you should discuss this decision with your doctor and family.

If you decide to go ahead with the surgery, prepare yourself to stay in the hospital for a few days. The length of your stay will depend on how well your surgery went, what type of surgery you had and your overall health. After the surgery, you'll be given a series of tests including blood tests and an EKG. The device itself will also be tested and programmed and your doctor will give you a chest x-ray to make sure the defibrillator is in correctly.

Even though defibrillator implant patients have to stay in the hospital for a few days, they can return to their normal lives fairly quickly after they're released. It's recommended that these patients don't lift anything that's more than 20 pounds until they're fully recovered. They're also not supposed to take a shower for five days. This is a precautionary measure to protect the chest wound.

Staying on Your Toes

Defibrillator implants aren't perfect and they can malfunction. Unfortunately, there isn't a 100 percent guarantee that a defibrillator implant is going to work. However, there are some things defibrillator recipients can do to minimize the chance of a malfunction.

Those with defibrillator implants should stay away from electrical devices that have large magnetic fields. This includes certain industrial equipment, power plants and magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs). Though you'll be OK around a microwave, you should keep cell phones at least six inches away from the device.

Make sure to take care of your defibrillator implant. After all, the whole point of having a defibrillator implant is to increase the quality and longevity of your life.

EMI & RF Environmental Safety Concerns

Electromagnetic energy is an environmental issue that is often overlooked. This invisible environmental factor should be considered as carefully as air and water quality.

Standards have been set for acceptable electromagnetic energy levels in the environment. Organizations, such as the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), have studied and identified levels and time limits above which human exposure should be restricted.

As required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has established standards and guidelines for evaluating the level of potential human exposure to emissions from licensed transmitters. OSHA's website states "...there are national consensus standards which OSHA could consider referencing in a general duty clause citation." Policies and procedures should be put in place to reduce the potential for being challenged on these issues and for properly responding if you are challenged.

Electromagnetic energy is generated over a wide spectrum of frequencies from many different sources. The frequencies addressed in this article include extremely low frequency (ELF), Radiofrequency (RF) and microwave (MW) radiation. The term "EME/RF" will be used here to refer to these frequencies.

ELF fields are produced by power lines, electrical wiring, and electrical equipment. RF and MW radiation is generated from many sources, including radios, cellular phones, the processing and cooking of foods, heat sealers, vinyl welders, high frequency welders, induction heaters, flow solder machines, communications transmitters, radar transmitters, ion implant equipment, and microwave drying equipment. These frequencies, along with visible and ultraviolet light, are known as non-ionizing radiation to distinguish them from the more dangerous X-rays, gamma rays and other higher energy level rays known as ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation is not addressed in this article.

Establishing a policy and implementing procedures to consider, identify and document the factors that influence the electromagnetic environment will help ensure that workers and the general public are appropriately protected from any potential adverse effects resulting from excessive exposure. While most devices typically would not result in levels of exposure high enough to cause injury, it is nevertheless important to ensure that human exposures are maintained well below levels that are suspected to be potentially harmful.

Electromagnetic environment evaluation procedures should be consistent and complete. The FCC has established maximum permissible exposure (MPE) levels for human exposure to RF. They have published guidelines and procedures for evaluating RF exposure for the general public and for personnel performing occupational tasks in a controlled area.

While the focus of the FCC is strictly on transmitters that they license, OSHA is very much concerned with the workplace. OSHA has published their own guidelines, which state that they agree with those of the FCC and other standards organizations. In the area of occupational protection against EME/RF exposure, the OSHA guidelines are a very clear blueprint for the responsibilities of building facilities management. The General Duty Clause of OSHA states that an employer is required "to furnish to each of his employees, employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees."

It is becoming more common for building rooftops to be used as wireless base station antenna sites. A building manager should ensure that all wireless carriers located on such facilities comply with the requirements to assess and document the RF environment. These requirements are not restricted to each carrier's individual contribution to the RF environment, but mandate that they evaluate the cumulative effects of all RF sources at each site, identify areas where the MPE is exceeded in which their equipment contributes 5% or more of the MPE, and take appropriate action. That action could involve signage, barriers to restrict access, or other methods to alert people to the potential danger and prevent excessive exposure.

Forward thinking building managers might utilize internal resources or an independent third party firm to perform an EME/RF audit of any part of their facility where a potential tenant wants to install equipment that may generate EME/RF energy. This should be made a routine part of the due diligence process in evaluating the lease application and the cost included in those fees. In the case of wireless licensees, each should be provided with an updated copy of the results of the new study. The FCC rules require that each licensee consider the cumulative effects of all transmitters. Existing tenants are more willing to share the necessary information with a building manager or independent third party than with a potential new competitor.

The liability that results from an unknown or undocumented electromagnetic environment presents a unique risk-management problem. An innovative solution to the problem, using the rooftop example, is to perform an audit of RF sources. A RF sweep of the rooftop using industry-accepted test equipment can identify "hot spots" where high levels of RF are of concern.

Then, a computer modeling study of the roof can be used to predict a "worst case scenario" and generate a color-coded map of the rooftop, with the safe, "green" areas in green, and other colors to alert personnel to any areas of concern. This map should be laminated and stored in a weather resistant enclosure that is well marked and placed where anyone entering the roof will see it, so that they will be aware of the environment.

Tens of thousands of occupational situations involve potentially hazardous exposure to non-ionizing radiation that could be at, near, or above recognized safety standards. Commercial and industrial uses outside the electronics industry continue to grow. High electromagnetic levels can affect the general population and, specifically, at risk individuals.

While it is important to recognize that most facilities are safely within the MPE limits, it is also important to be able to provide some documentation to show how that was determined for your facility if you are asked to do so. For most buildings, this is easy and low cost. For facilities with more complex EME/RF environments, more detailed analysis is required; however, documenting the environment there is more important because challenges are more likely in such cases.

People with implanted pacemakers are of particular concern. The manufacturers of pacemakers usually provide specifications relative to the electromagnetic environmental levels where the device should not be used. Those responsible for environmental issues should be aware of workers and others who may have pacemakers and ensure that they are not allowed to enter an area where the electromagnetic environment is not compatible with the pacemaker. RF energy can also affect the operation of hearing aids.

In addition to effects on humans, sufficiently high levels of RF energy can interfere with other electronic equipment such as computer systems, wireless devices, medical equipment (defibrillators), and RFID systems. Often, these types of equipment are vital to providing workplace safety. As with all environmental concerns, the electromagnetic environment must be managed with knowledge and responsibility.

Electromagnetic environmental safety is a risk management issue. By recognizing it as such, facility management is taking positive steps to protect the employees and visitors as well as avoiding potential litigation should an incident occur. The guidelines established by OSHA provide a clear blueprint for the responsibility of building facilities' managers. The first step is to establish a written policy for documenting and dealing with these issues.

It is also important to establish a procedure for documenting all potential sources of electromagnetic energy at and nearby the facility. Conducting periodic reviews will ensure that the information is current. Obtaining an expert evaluation and opinion as to the need for a detailed electromagnetic/RF environment audit is a prudent step. If recommended, study of the electromagnetic environment should be performed.

Depending on the facility, this may include measurements, theoretical modeling, or a combination of the two. It is vital to correct any deficiencies noted, post signage where appropriate, and restrict access where needed. OSHA's policy states that employers who have people working around devices which produce radiofrequency/ microwave radiation need to be sure that those devices are properly shielded to prevent leakage of radiation.

The FCC sets forth two tiers of MPE levels, one for general population/uncontrolled environments and another for occupational/controlled environments. Where electromagnetic hazards may exist, awareness training should be provided to personnel who find it necessary to enter the area. In facilities where RF exposure is high, specific areas of concern can be identified and access to those areas can be restricted or controlled.

In facilities where it is more desirable to utilize the less restrictive occupational/controlled exposure limits, certain requirements must be met. These include RF safety awareness training for anyone entering such facilities. Procedures should be instituted for working in the vicinity of the RF sources that will prevent exposures in excess of the guidelines. Since the MPE limits are based on time averaging, restricting the time an individual could be near an RF source is one example of a policy that could prevent excessive exposure to RF radiation. It is necessary to inquire of prospective new tenants regarding planned equipment that may contribute to the EME/RF environment and evaluate the cumulative threat thereof.

Management should also determine if prospective new tenants plan to use equipment that may be negatively impacted by the existing EME/RF environment. EME/RF emissions can cause potential hazards to both humans and the operation of equipment. In addition to the impact on personnel, the emissions from one device may have a deleterious effect on other devices in the area. In medical related facilities or other facilities used for sensitive testing, there may also be adverse effects on test results.

Just as there are safety precautions for operating a microwave oven, such as not operating it when empty, checking to see that the door seal is tight and using extreme caution if you have a pacemaker, there are safety precautions for the operation of business, industry and health related facilities. While it is important to know what the precautions are, it is also important to take action to protect the environment and those who work within the environment from the potential hazardous effects of EME/RF emissions. EME/RF radiation is an important safety aspect of facility management. By using professionals to survey the facility and determine the levels of EME/RF radiation, providing formal training of employees and adequate posting of hazardous areas, all personnel within the facility can be protected against excessive levels of EME/RF.

The Asian Superfood Is Best To Reduce Cholesterol

We feed soybeans to chickens. But in Asian countries, people eat soybeans as well as soy foods such as tofu nearly every day. These foods contain compounds that help lower cholesterol, and this may explain, at least in part, why cholesterol levels in Japan are so much lower than they are here in the United States.

• Studies have shown that replacing protein from animal sources with about 1 ounces of soy protein a day can lower total cholesterol by 9 percent. It lowers dangerous LDL cholesterol even more, by 13 percent.
• Tofu and other soy foods contain compounds called phytoestrogens. Researchers believe that these compounds help transport LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream to the liver, where it's broken down and excreted. They also may prevent the LDL from oxidizing making it less likely to clog the coronary arteries.
• To get the cholesterol-lowering benefits of soy, you need to eat two or three servings of soy foods a day.
• Garlic-lovers say that you can't eat too much of the "stinking rose," and it seems that they're right. Research suggests that this pungent bulb can significantly lower cholesterol. Garlic contains a compound called allicin that changes the way in which the body uses cholesterol.
• When Dr. Warshafsky analyzed data from five of the most reliable scientific studies on garlic and cholesterol, he found that eating one-half to one clove of garlic per day lowered blood cholesterol an average of 9 percent.
• When using garlic it's a good idea to mince or crush it, since this releases more of the allicin. Even if you eat a lot of garlic, however, don't count on it to be a magic bullet against cholesterol. Eating garlic on top of a diet high in saturated far and cholesterol is unlikely to do you any good.
• Fish is important article in Asian food as it is also low in calories and saturated fat, making it a perfect addition to a cholesterol-reducing diet. To get the maximum benefits from omega- 3's, plan on eating 3 to 4 ounces of fish two times a week.
• Salmon, tuna, and other fish contain fats called omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to lower triglycerides. In a study at the University of Western Australia in Perth, two groups of men followed a low-fat diet. Those in one group ate a variety of protein foods, while those in the second group ate 3 to 5 ounces of fish a day. After three months, men in both groups had drops in cholesterol. But the men who are fish also experienced a 23 percent reduction in triglycerides.

US Heart Disease Statistics

US heart disease statistics are some of the worst (if not the worst) in the world, with over one million reported heart attack and half a million deaths annually. Our diets tend to be a big part of the problem with lots of red meat, high saturated fat foods deep fried to perfection, along with a healthy dose of those tasty fast food delights thrown in for good measure. Not only do these types of foods add a few pounds but create an environment inside our bodies ripe for coronary artery disease. The US heart disease statistics compiled by the CDC in Atlanta, Georgia tend to tell the story better than I could ever hope to. Let's take a few minutes to run through a number of chilling US heart disease statistics that you should find very interesting.

First, did you know that heart disease was the leading cause of death for most ethnic groups in the United States? Here's how the numbers stack up: Whites 27.5%; African Americans 25.8%; Hispanics 22.7%; Other 24%. According to these numbers the average American has a 1 in 4 chance of dying of a heart attack. Now that should make all of us think twice before ordering that double burger with fries along with a fried pie or milk shake for dessert for lunch, and that chicken fried steak with gravy for dinner!

So now we know the fatality rate, but what are the chances that we would know enough about heart disease to call emergency services for help? In a very surprising survey conducted in 2005, 92% survey participants knew that chest pain was a symptom of a heart attack but only 27% were aware of all the major symptoms and knew to call emergency services for help when someone was having a heart attack. This would explain why 47% of heart attack victims fail to make it to the hospital in time to avoid becoming another heart attack fatality statistic.

But by now you are probably saying you new most of that information anyway but here a question for you; What is the biggest risk factor for heart disease? Okay most of you screamed out that double cheeseburger with fries! While a good answer it is not the right answer. According to the CDC the biggest risk factor for heart disease is inactivity (39.5%). Certainly the other risk factors of obesity, high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, high cholesterol, and diabetes are very important but in the end inactivity stands alone at the top of the list.

What I do to keep from becoming just another heart disease statistic?

Certainly, this is something you should discuss with your doctor but as a general rule a combination of exercise 5 or more days a week, a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, saying no to cigarettes, and a natural cholesterol reduction supplement would be an excellent place to start.

Military Case Uses

Believe it or not, the military case is a versatile tool that can be used for a number of things. Aside from the fact that these cases can carry anything from firearms to explosives, they are also useful when transporting any type of fragile material.

Society functions with the help of great packaging every day. Medical companies use military-grade cases to transport defibrillators, MRI products, and various other medical tools that require special packaging. Without these cases, crucial medical devices would not reach patients in need on time. Still, there are other uses for the military case.

Various film and television industry professionals use the very same military cases to transport delicate photography equipment, video equipment, and sound equipment. Numerous other industries including construction, engineering, and mechanics have found that these cases are the only way to go when it comes to shipping delicate products safely.

Of course, the military uses many different cases in order to transport weapons, but there are other military uses for these cases as well. Any system of component that is calibrated can be safely shipped and transported within a military-grade case. Additionally, vital items that are used by the military regularly (including electronics and optics) are only transported using an indestructible case.

Why are these cases so sought after by so many different industries? Military-grade cases are:

Customizable
Water resistant
Sandproof
Dustproof
Heat resistant
Easy to open
Rustproof
Unbreakable

Also, many of these cases now come with pull-out handles and wheels making transport easier. In short, these cases are far more than simple vessels for important items.

While some cases have obvious uses, other cases (such as laptop cases) can be used for a number of things. Sometimes, an object that must be transported does not fit into any one standard container. When this happens, the cases that hold these items are often customized to fit the item precisely. Additionally, all cases that will be transported using military vehicles must fit snugly into a particular vehicle.

For example, a case containing an explosive must fit exactly into its designated area within a military vehicle. The only cases that can conform to these tight quarters are those that have been professionally measured and cut with accuracy. This is one of the main reasons why the military case is so popular within many different industries.

Even though it may seem like a military case has only one direct purpose, this is not the, well, case. In fact, many individual consumers have begun to use these cases as well. As it turns out, any military-grade cases are perfect for:

Hunting
Fishing
Extensive traveling with a laptop case
Packaging fragile items

Many different items that are manufactured for the military eventually begin to catch the public eye due to the fact that they are highly durable, well thought out, and entirely personalized. If you have anything that needs to be transported carefully, selecting a military-grade case is the perfect solution.

Defibrillators - An Overview

How do defibrillators work?

A defibrillator is a medical device used to correct irregular heart beat patterns, otherwise known as cardiac arrhythmias. Cardiac arrhythmias are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the heart, characterized by irregular contractions. Many arrhythmias are often common and benign, most often described as feeling your heart skip a beat. Other arrhythmias, however, can interrupt the normal flow of blood, causing vital organs such as the brain to lose oxygen and suffocate. If left untreated, these arrhythmias can be deadly in very short periods of time. Defibrillators are most commonly used to treat two very dangerous types of arrhythmias: ventricular fibrillation, or 'V-fiB,' and ventricular tachycardia, or 'V-tach.'

Today, defibrillators can be portable units placed in ambulances, automated units placed in a public area, or even an implantable unit placed directly into a patient's body. No matter the style of defibrillator, the treatment remains the same. Applying a quick, high-voltage, direct-current charge to the patient's chest, allows a defibrillator to disrupt abnormal rhythms and prompt the heart to resume its normal rhythm. Despite the power of the shock that a defibrillator supplies, technological advances have created lower-energy shocks which are much less likely to cause internal damage and burns.

What are the risks associated with using a defibrillator?

Although defibrillators can save lives, defectively designed defibrillators can cause a great deal of damage and even lead to death. Studies show that defective Sprint Fidelis leads in Medtronic's implantable defibrillator are prone to fracture, causing the units to release powerful shocks at random. These shocks may cause intense pain, anxiety, and even death for people with implanted units.

If you or a loved one has been implanted with a Medtronic defibrillator with Sprint Fidelis leads, contact an attorney immediately to discuss your legal options. A skilled attorney will be able to evaluate your case and provide you with the legal assistance you need to navigate the complex litigation process. The outcomes of using a defective Medtronic defibrillator may cause you to struggle financially, emotionally, and physically. There is no reason to face the hardships associated with defective products when your situation was caused by a poorly manufactured or defective product. Manufacturers are often found liable for injuries caused by their products and an experienced attorney will be able to help you organize the most effective lawsuit possible.

The Different Types of Defibrillator

When you are having some kind of cardiac arrest, there are things that a doctor or paramedic can do to help the situation and try to save your life. When you are with someone whose heart has stopped, you want to do whatever is in your power to take care of them and the situation by making sure that their heart starts pumping again.

Defibrillators are products that are manufactured by certain companies to help shock the heart enough to make the heart start pumping again. There are quite a few different types of Defibrillators that have been made over the years that are used for many different things. The first type is what is called a Manual external defibrillator. This MED is usually used by a paramedic or physician in an emergency situation where the person needs a shock to the heart in order to get the heart of the person to start pumping blood again. This MED has a monitor as well as paddles that the doctor or paramedic can use. While using this MED, the physician will choose the exact amount of joults that the person needs to receive based on what type of situation their body and heart are in.

The next type of defibrillator is what is called the AED or the Automated External Defibrillator. These are the newest types of defibrillators that have a computer system inside the monitor and it recognizes the rhythm of the heart and sends some types of electric shocks based on what the heart is supposed to be beating at. This is the most highly advanced external defibrillator that they have out on the market right now. This is supposed to be able to regulate how much the heart is beating compared with how much it should be beating and help the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body faster. In an emergency, this AED is used anytime that someone goes into cardiac arrest. If their heart stops beating, the paramedic will use some sort of an AED which will analyze the person's lack of heart beat and will give the person a shock to help their heart to continue to pump blood to both the body and the brain. If the brain begins to shut down, then the hope of getting the person back up to full capacity will begin to dwindle quickly. Understanding your situation with the defibrillator can be one of the best things that you can do to help both yourself and anyone else that may be involved.

Why Take the Advance Cardiac Life Support Class?

If you are a newly licensed health care provider you will soon discover that times have changed. No longer does simply having a license ensure that you will be able to land the desired job. Almost anyone knows that times are tough right now and there is no exception for health care professionals. Many newly licensed providers struggle to find employment simply because they are new.

If a business is trying to cut cost they will always try and employ the "most" skilled for their money. It doesn't mean that businesses want to spend the most to get the best quality. On the contrary, the objective is to spend the least while getting the most. It is just good business sense to get the biggest bang for your buck whenever possible. Care providers that have more skills and experience are always preferred over those that simply have a license.

Certification courses like Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support are becoming a standard in the health care industry and submitting your resume without such certification is kinda like showing up to an interview unshaven or in shorts and slippers. You may be qualified for the job, but are you as prepared as the competition?

Does your resume reflect a standard of excellence and continuing education above and beyond the basic requirements? Having current ACLS certification is not above and beyond the call of duty anymore. It is now part of the standard for employment for licensed professionals in many health care systems. Don't wait for a potential employer to ask for your ACLS certification. Remember, that's like showing up to your interview in slippers. Even if you are not yet employed or recently displaced due to a downsize, acquire and maintain your ACLS certification. It can be the very thing that makes a difference between being employed or collecting unemployment.

Identify it Before it Strikes You - How Correctly Diagnosing a Stroke is Essential to Recovery

The immediate and accurate diagnosis of a stroke is crucial to patient recovery. Strokes can be fatal, claiming some 250,000 people in the US alone. Over 700,000 cases are reported each year, which means more than one stroke per minute, and a mortality rate of over 30%. Clearly, a stroke is not something you should take lightly.

Identifying and acting on the warning signs of a stroke is a sure shot way to prevent it, or to help the patient recover from it. The most obvious warning signs of a stroke include sudden weakness or numbness, particularly on just one side of the body (usually the left side where the heart is located). Stroke patients usually feel dizzy or lose their sense of co-ordination becoming jerky in movement. Sudden headaches, debilitating nausea, difficulty in constructing coherent sentences or even sudden vision loss are other warning signs of an impending stroke.

The sure shot way to cut down on your stroke risks is to lead a healthy lifestyle. Even if you are genetically disposed to getting a stroke, making a few lifestyle changes can go a long way to minimizing your risks. This includes eating healthy, cutting down or giving up drinking or smoking, exercising regularly, cutting down on fat and cholesterol in your diet, and getting regular check-ups done.

There are certain factors that increase your chances of getting a stroke. These include your age (older people are more likely to suffer from a stroke), your gender (women are more likely victims than men), your racial and genetic background (African-Americans and Hispanics are more likely to get a stroke than others), etc. Your doctor should help you identify any of these risk factors and work with you to minimize them.

It is important to know all the symptoms, risk factors and conditions that can lead to a stroke. Strokes are one of the biggest killers in across the world today and by educating yourself, you can do a lot to prevent its occurrence.

Speed Up Help with a Defibrillator Cabinet

A defibrillator cabinet keeps your device available for everyone and alerts others in the case of an emergency. When you have someone experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, you want to know exactly where your defibrillator is and be able to get to it quickly. Defibrillator cabinets keep your device safe and available.

A defibrillator cabinet is constructed of heavy gauge steel and tempered glass. It resembles a fire extinguisher case and can also be mounted on a wall for easy access. You can choose from a cabinet that is recessed into the wall or one that mounts flush with the wall.

The cabinet has an audible alarm and flashing lights when opened. This helps to deter theft and it also helps to alert others that an emergency is taking place. With the alarm, someone could be notifying 9-1-1 while another individual is bringing the defibrillator to the person in need. In places where an alarm is not needed, it can be disabled.

If your building has a central security system, you can wire the defibrillator alarm to the system. By doing so, you can immediately notify medical first responders that an emergency is taking place and that help is needed. Your alarm company or facilities staff should be able to handle the installation. They will be able to connect the alarm to an auto dialer as well if it's desired.

Defibrillator cabinets are attractive and provide the easy access that you need to the device. The glass front enables visitors and staff to immediately recognize the device and know where it is if needed. You don't want to have your staff trying to locate the defibrillator when someone is having a cardiac arrest. The sooner a defibrillator is used, the better the chances of survival are. So, it's important that the defibrillator is kept somewhere visible and accessible.

Cabinets are purchased separately from the defibrillator device, but the cost is more than made up for by the convenience. At the very least, you should purchase a carry case and wall bracket. Although these won't protect your defibrillator in the same way that a cabinet would, they do make the device accessible.

You may also want to purchase other items, including wall signs for your defibrillator. Wall signs tell people where a defibrillator is and make its location highly visible. As defibrillator cases are not as well recognized as fire extinguisher cases, this is often a good investment.

Consider purchasing a defibrillator cabinet to house your defibrillator in. The cabinet will keep your device safe and make it accessible for anyone who may need it.

Automated External Defibrillators or AED's - The Shocking Truth

Sudden Cardiac Arrest or Sudden Death is the abrupt loss of consciousness, breathing and heartbeat. It kills over 325,000 Americans a year. That's more than breast cancer, colon cancer and motor vehicle accidents combined. The media frequently uses the more well-known term, massive heart attack, to describe the cause of death when, in actuality, a heart attack is only the death of a part of the heart muscle.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest is caused by a heart attack or scaring from a previous heart attack. During cardiac arrest the pacemaker cells in the heart that normally cause the heart to contract and relax in a rhythmic pattern become disorganized and chaotic. This activity is called ventricular fibrillation; the heart is not beating but fibrillates or quivers like a jello mold shaken on a plate. Many victims develop symptoms only moments before their heart stops and some experience the cardiac arrest itself as the first, last and only indication of heart disease.

Sudden Death is potentially reversible but only if the victim receives Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and is shocked with a Automated External Defibrillator (AED) within a few minutes after collapsing. Performing CPR on a victim moves blood through the body, providing oxygen to the brain and heart, which can prolong the hearts electrical activity. An AED gives a shock of electricity through the heart causing it to contract and stop its erratic fibrillation. This allows the cells in the heart to reset back into a normal beat.

Time is the critical factor and can make the difference between life and death. In just four to six minutes permanent brain damage starts to occur and within ten minutes the heart is no longer fibrillating and has degraded to a condition called astoyle, commonly known as a flatline. Although Hollywood often portrays the successful resuscitation of people with a flatline EKG, this does not happen in the real world. Once there is no electrical activity in the heart, the victim's chances of survival are almost nonexistent.

There are several models of Automated External Defibrillators available and, although they have minor differences, all of them give instructions that are designed for use by a non-medical professional. The AED will determine if the victim needs a shock and will then guide you through the rescue with verbal cues, pictures or written text. Some models even coach users through the steps of CPR. Public access defibrillators are becoming more widespread and are seen in airports, malls, casinos, health cubs, restaurants, golf courses, public parks, churches and office buildings. More and more people are getting an AED for their home, RV or boat as well.

Reversal of sudden cardiac arrest is possible with immediate notification of emergency medical services (911) and the combination of CPR and defibrillation with an AED in the first few minutes after a victim collapses.