Town leads ‘HeartSafe’ cardiac initiative
The Tipperary town is aiming to become the first town in Ireland to be certified as a “HeartSafe” community.
To be granted the Irish Heart Foundation HeartSafe award, a team of trained heart medics must be able to reach anyone with a heart problem in the area within four minutes of an attack.
This is part of a community drive to ensure the best possible chances of survival and recovery for those who experience heart problems in the area.
The whole concept is based on strengthening every link in the chain of survival in their community. The “Chain of Survival” concept comprises four vital links that can save a life: early access, early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), early defibrillation and early advanced care, explained programme chairperson, Patricia Mathews.
The project is to be launched in Clonmel in February and encourages members of neighbouring towns and villages to consider the initiative for their community.
“I would encourage other communities to attend the launch and witness how a community can make such a big difference in the lives of those who suffer from cardiovascular disease,” Ms Mathews said.
One of the programme aims is to have an automated external defibrillator (AED) accessible within a four-minute radius of Clonmel, should a person experience a sudden heart attack.
The AED can check the pulse and gives “prompts” to the responder, who in turn gives the vital electric shock to re-establish heart rhythm.
Irish Heart Foundation chief executive Michael O’Shea commended the initiative of the Clonmel HeartSafe Programme and called for other towns throughout the country to follow the group’s example.
“Any village, town, club or group can apply to become HeartSafe and the Heart Foundation will guide the group towards achieving the certification,” he said.
Local employer Guidant Corporation, which develops and supplies cardiovascular medical devices, is supporting the programme and many other local companies are sponsoring AEDs.
The Clonmel group plans to co-ordinate the training of many locals in CPR in association with the Irish Red Cross.
Every AED requires individuals to be trained in basic CPR and in the use of the device. The Clonmel Heartsafe Programme is registering volunteers to be trained on the use of AEDs and there has been a good response to date.
* The Clonmel meeting takes place in Hotel Minella on February 2 at 8pm.
:
- 11,000 people die annually from heart diseases
- 6,000 of these deaths are from a sudden cardiac arrest
- 70% of cardiac arrests in Ireland occur out of hospital
- knowing how to perform CPR can help to save a life.
