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10 Early Signs of a Heart Attack You Should Never Ignore

While some heart attacks come on suddenly and without warning, some are followed by a set of warning signs. Whether you’re at a high risk age for a heart attack or you work with individuals prone to heart attacks, it’s important to be aware of the signs to better prepare yourself. Some people can experience early warning signs of heart attacks hours, days, or even weeks before it happens. Today, we’re going to discuss the 10 early signs of a heart attack you should never ignore (whether it’s for yourself or those around you).

Who is Most Susceptible to Heart Attacks?

One of the first signs to look out for is age. Men over 45 and women over 50 are more likely to be at risk for heart problems than someone younger, but it’s also not impossible for younger individuals to experience them. Those with a history of heart disease are also more at risk. Other risk factors include:

  • Having diabetes
  • Being overweight
  • Smoking
  • Not being physically active
  • Eating unhealthy foods

 

10 Early Signs of a Heart Attack

There are a few early signs to be aware of for yourself and others that may be in the early stages of a heart attack. Here are some of the problems to look out for:

1. Chest Pain

Prior to having a heart attack, one of the most common symptoms is pain or discomfort in your chest. There may be tightness or pressure, and the feeling happens when you’re doing something physical or not doing anything. If the pain continues and doesn’t go away after a few minutes, call 911. With that being said, not everyone experiences pain before a heart attack.

2. Snoring and Lingering Coughs

While these seem like common occurrences, both snoring and an ongoing cough can point toward heart problems.

If you know heart problems run in your family and have a cough that won’t let up, this can be a sign that something more is happening. Especially if you’re coughing up white or pink mucus. When the heart can’t keep up, it causes blood to leak into the lungs.

While snoring is common for a lot of people, if you’re noticing gasping or choking sounds while you sleep or moments where you stop breathing, this puts extra stress on your heart. If this sounds like you or someone you know, a CPAP machine can help with your breathing and alleviate stress on your heart while you sleep.

3. Lightheadedness or Dizziness

While there are normal things that can cause lightheadedness or dizziness, be cognisant when you’re experiencing random symptoms of this. If you feel like you might fall over, have a shortness of breath, and are experiencing pain or discomfort in your chest, this is often the perfect trifecta of a heart attack. If you or someone else is experiencing these symptoms, call 911.

4. Pain or General Discomfort (Specifically, on the Left Side)

Pain on the left side of the body, around the chest, or arm can be a sign of a heart attack. Other pains that you might be experiencing include throat and jaw pain that stem from the center of your chest and spread upward. If you’re experiencing anything abnormal or hear about these symptoms from someone else, it could be a sign that medical intervention is needed.

5. Abnormal Heartbeat

Having an irregular heartbeat during excitable moments is normal, but experiencing random skips in your heart or irregular heart palpitations is not. Especially when they are accompanied by chest pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath. If you or someone else has a combination of these symptoms, making an appointment with a doctor can help save your life.

6. Heartburn, Indigestion, or Nausea

Another symptom of a potential heart attack is experiencing stomach pain, heartburn, indigestion, or nausea. This, paired with a history of heart disease, could make someone more at risk. Women are more likely than men to experience this prior to a heart attack, but both genders are susceptible.

7. Breaking Out in a Cold Sweat

If you or someone else is breaking out in a cold sweat for no reason, this could also be a sign of heart problems. Combined with other symptoms, this could be a precursor to bigger heart problems that you’re unaware of. If you break out in a cold sweat along with other symptoms on this list, call 911 immediately to get checked out.

8. Feeling Weak or Exhausted

If normal tasks are suddenly feeling like too much, this is a huge sign of heart problems. Whether you’re climbing stairs, grabbing the mail, or carrying groceries, if you’re experiencing weird bouts of exhaustion, this could be a sign that your heart is at risk. Days of extreme exhaustion without having an explanation for it can often be the first precursor to an oncoming heart attack.

9. Swollen Bottom Half of Your Body

If you or someone else’s bottom half of their body (legs, feet, ankles) appears to be swollen, it could indicate that the heart is not pumping fast enough. When your heart is having issues pumping blood effectively, swollen limbs are a huge sign of these changes. If you or someone else is experiencing heart failure, the kidneys struggle to remove extra water and sodium, and this can also lead to bloating. So, if you or someone you’re around appears to have excessive bloating or any of these other symptoms, call 911 to get checked out.

10. High Risk of Heart Disease and Short of Breath

If you or someone else is at high risk of heart disease and has random experiences of shortness of breath, this can be a sign that a heart attack is oncoming. Or, at the very least, that you have a heart condition that needs attention. Randomly experiencing shortness of breath and feeling weak during normal activities alludes to the fact that something more could be going on with your heart. If you’re feeling short of breath, have a history of heart problems, and have any other risk factors, speak with your doctor ASAP.

How to Respond to a Heart Attack

Whether you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, you want to be prepared so you know how to respond to a heart attack appropriately. Here at HeartCert, we offer certified CPR training so you can learn to save someone’s life. Whether your job requires it or you simply want knowledge on the subject, our instructors will give you the tools so you know how to respond in an emergency situation. Ready to sign up and gain knowledge to save a life?

Save a heart with CPR.

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HeartCert is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR, First Aid, CNA, IV, EKG and more, throughout the United States.

Courses include CPR/AED/First Aid, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Certified Nursing Assistant training, IV training, EKG training, babysitter basics and more. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available. We offer virtual courses and certifications, in all 50 states as well as in-person classes at our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan and major cities in Iowa, Illinois, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin.

How to Organize CPR Training for Your Employees

Do you know if your workforce is prepared for an emergency? You never know when or where you’ll be when the need for a medical emergency occurs, but when we spend 40+ hours in the same place each week, the probability of such an event occurring at the workplace increases.

According to the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), approximately 10,000 sudden cardiac arrests occur in the workplace each year in the United States.

Implementing regular CPR training sessions and ensuring easy access to AEDs are proactive steps employers can take to enhance workplace safety and preparedness. Having trained staff can make the difference between life and death in the event of a workplace emergency; in this article, you’ll learn how you can easily organize CPR training for your employees.

What Types of Businesses Should Provide CPR Training?

While every workplace can benefit from CPR-certified staff, some industries have a higher need for quick emergency response. 

Here are a few examples:

  • Healthcare & Assisted Living Facilities
  • Childcare & Education
  • Construction & Manufacturing
  • Hospitality & Food Service
  • Gyms & Fitness Centers
  • Corporate Offices
  • Retail Stores & Shopping Centers

Choose the Right CPR Course Format

Next, you’ll want to determine what type of CPR course format is ideal for your employees. For businesses and large organizations, onsite CPR training is the most common method. This makes for an engaging experience for your employees and is often viewed as a team-building experience as well. For some groups, especially small businesses or varying schedule availability, you may decide to offer your employees online CPR certification options. You’ll also want to verify if the CPR class you are considering is an AHA or Red Cross-approved course. If you’re not sure what type of course is best for your organization, you can discuss your options with the CPR and first aid training provider you are planning to work with for recommendations. 

Partner With a Certified CPR Training Provider

Working with a certified CPR training provider, such as HeartCert, makes offering group CPR classes to your employees easy. Find a reputable CPR training provider by searching for an organization that offers training near you. You’ll want a training provider that offers the class type that works best for your employees and flexible scheduling that works for your business. It may be important that the training provider offers AHA or Red Cross-approved courses or can offer OSHA classes as well. We recommend looking at reviews and testimonials that demonstrate the training provider excels at group CPR trainings for employees.

Set a Schedule and Promote the Training

Once you determine which CPR training provider is the right partner for your company, you’ll work with them to find an ideal time for your employee CPR training that minimizes workplace disruption. Depending on your industry, you may choose to require employees to attend, or you can make the training an optional perk and encourage participation. You may want to use a sign-up sheet or an online registration platform, especially if you are a larger company or are offering multiple CPR certification sessions.

Track Participation and Certification Status

If you plan to regularly offer group first aid and CPR training to your employees, you’ll want to keep records of their certifications and when they will need to renew again. Some CPR training providers, such as HeartCert, will track the status of your employee safety training and CPR certification to make the process easy and manageable. 

Schedule CPR Training For Employees

When you invest in CPR training for your employees it can be more than just a step towards compliance, it’s a way of showing a commitment to their safety and well-being. By organizing CPR certification courses, you’re empowering your team with the skills to respond during critical moments and potentially saving lives. 

Don’t wait for an emergency to highlight the importance of preparedness. Schedule your group first aid and CPR training today to promote a safer workplace and give your employees the confidence to handle unforeseen situations.

Schedule Today

HeartCert is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR, First Aid, CNA, IV, EKG and more, throughout the United States.

Courses include CPR/AED/First Aid, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Certified Nursing Assistant training, IV training, EKG training, babysitter basics and more. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available. We offer virtual courses and certifications, in all 50 states as well as in-person classes at our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan and major cities in Iowa, Illinois, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin.

Comparing CPR Methods for Infants, Children, and Adults

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is one of the most basic techniques to save a life that so many people in the world don’t know or aren’t comfortable using—and when someone does know how to utilize it, they might get caught up on the correct method for certain age groups. Knowing the proper method for CPR for every age might make you a little more comfortable if you ever need to use the life-saving technique. Today, we’re here to compare CPR methods for infants, children, and adults so that when you’re in an emergency, you’ll have confidence that you’ll know what to do. Even that extra moment of confidence can mean you save someone’s life.

When to Use CPR

First things first, how do you know when to use CPR? Generally, CPR is appropriate for anyone of any age who is: 

  • Unconscious and experiencing irregular breathing
  • Suffering from a heart attack
  • Pulled from the water after nearly drowning
  • Choking, gasping, or can’t breathe

 

Why is CPR Necessary?

CPR is a life-saving technique meant to keep blood pumping until help arrives. Without CPR, a person can’t get oxygen and their blood stops pumping. This leads to brain damage in just a few minutes followed by more severe consequences.

Before Starting CPR

Before starting CPR, ensure that the environment is safe for the person, determine whether they are unconscious by tapping or shaking them and loudly asking if they’re okay, and call 911 if you’re alone or have someone else call if you’re not. 

Types of Life-Saving CPR Methods

While CPR has a similar outcome in infants, children, and adults, the process differs greatly depending on the age range of the person. The younger a person is, the more delicate the procedure needs to be to ensure no irreparable damage is done—all while having enough force to get the blood pumping and keep the person alive.

Here’s how to differentiate between age groups:

  • Infant: Generally 1 year of age or younger—a baby.
  • Child: Older than 1 but has not yet reached puberty.
  • Adult: Has shown signs of puberty.

 

CPR Methods for Infants

Step 1 — Complete 30 Chest Compressions to Restore Blood Flow

For infant CPR, the baby should be placed on their back on a firm, flat surface. Then:

  • Stand or kneel at the side of the baby with your hips at an angle
  • Give 30 compressions with both thumbs side by side in the center of the chest, just below the nipple line, using your other fingers to support their sides and back
  • Push down hard and fast 1 ½ to 2 inches deep (around 100 to 120 per minute)
  • Let the chest return to normal after each compression

Step 2 — Give 2 Rescue Breaths to Open the Airway

Complete the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver and open the airway by lifting the baby’s head and chin upward, to a neutral position. Then:

  • Blow into baby’s mouth for 1 second
    • Ensure each breath is making their chest rise
    • Let the air exit before giving another breath
  • If the breath doesn’t make their chest rise, reposition the head and ensure mouth positioning has a tight seal
  • Complete a second breath
  • If neither breaths make the chest rise, there could be an obstruction in the airway

Step 3 — Repeat Compression and Breaths

Continue 30 compression breaths and 2 breaths until:

  • Signs of life are restored
  • An AED is ready to be used
  • A medical responder takes over
  • The scene is deemed unsafe
  • You’re too tired to continue
  • You’ve done CPR for two minutes, you’re alone, and need to call 911 still

CPR Methods for Children

Step 1 — Complete 30 Chest Compressions to Restore Blood Flow

For child CPR, they should be placed on their back on a firm, flat surface. Then:

  • Kneel at the side of the child
  • Place the heel of one hand at the center of the child’s chest and place your other hand over the top with your fingers interlaced
    • Note: For small children, you can use a one-handed CPR technique if less pressure is needed
  • Push down hard and fast 2 inches deep at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute
  • Let the chest return to normal after each compression
  • Give 30 compressions

Step 2 — Give 2 Rescue Breaths to Open the Airway

Complete the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver and open the airway by lifting their head and chin upward, to a slightly past-neutral position. Then:

    • Blow into child’s mouth for 1 second
      • Ensure each breath is making their chest rise
      • Let the air exit before giving another breath
  • Note: For young babies, you can also do breaths over both their nose and mouth
  • If the breath doesn’t make their chest rise, reposition the head and ensure mouth positioning has a tight seal
  • Complete a second breath
  • If neither breaths make the chest rise, there could be an obstruction in the airway

Step 3 — Repeat Compression and Breaths

Continue 30 compression breaths and 2 breaths until:

  • Signs of life are restored
  • An AED is ready to be used
  • A medical responder takes over
  • The scene is deemed unsafe
  • You’ve done CPR for two minutes, you’re alone, and need to call 911 still

CPR Methods for Adults

Step 1 — Complete 30 Chest Compressions to Restore Blood Flow

For adult CPR, lay the person on their back on a firm surface. Then:

  • Place the lower palm of your hand over the chest, between the nipples, and place your other hand on top with your elbows straight
  • Give 30 hard and fast compressions to a depth of 2 inches but no more than 2.4 inches at 100 to 120 compressions per minute
  • Put your entire weight into the compressions

Step 2 — Give 2 Rescue Breaths to Open the Airway

  • Lift the head using the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver to open the person’s airways
  • Give breaths mouth-to-mouth (unless the mouth is injured, then do mouth-to-nose)
  • Pinch the nostrils shut and seal their mouth with your own
  • Give a one-second breath and check if the chest rises
    • If the chest doesn’t rise, reposition the head or check for obstructions
  • Give a second 1-second breath

Step 3 — Repeat Compression and Breaths

Continue 30 compression breaths and 2 breaths until:

  • Signs of life are restored
  • An AED is ready to be used
  • A medical responder takes over
  • The scene is deemed unsafe
  • You’ve done CPR for two minutes, you’re alone, and need to call 911 still

Comparison Between Infant, Child, and Adult CPR

The main comparison between infant, child, and adult CPR is that different hand positions, pressures, and mouth-to-mouth alignments will be used depending on the person’s age. You don’t want to use too much force with fragile infant bodies whereas you’ll need a lot of force for adults to compress properly to get the job done. If you have any questions about the process, contact our team at HeartCert to find out more information.

Tricks to Remember CPR Tips

  • Do compressions to the beat of the song, “Stayin’ Alive”
  • Spell CAB (Compressions, Airway, Breathing) to remember the CPR order
  • Place the person on a hard surface so the compressions have more effect; a pliable surface won’t make the same impact
  • Complete chest compressions and breathing for 2 minutes before calling 911 if you’re alone and you haven’t already

CPR Can Save Lives

CPS can quite literally save lives—and you have the opportunity to save someone in an emergency. All you have to do is get your certification to know the steps like a pro, and you’ll be on your way to changing lives for the better. You have the potential to save anyone from any age in an emergency. Are you ready to sign up for a course and get your CPR certification today?

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HeartCert is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR, First Aid, CNA, IV, EKG and more, throughout the United States.

Courses include CPR/AED/First Aid, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Certified Nursing Assistant training, IV training, EKG training, babysitter basics and more. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available. We offer virtual courses and certifications, in all 50 states as well as in-person classes at our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan and major cities in Iowa, Illinois, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin.

CPR Training Requirements for MN Child Care Providers

Caring for small children is a demanding, high-stakes job. In addition to feeding, comforting and teaching children, child care providers must also keep them safe and healthy. This is why the state of Minnesota has enacted laws requiring all providers in the state to be trained in CPR and first aid. 

child care providers
photo credit: @markusspiske accessed 03/03/20 via CC0

Register For a CPR Class Today

 

There are two categories of required CPR trainings for child care providers in Minnesota.

Pre-Service Training

This requires licensed child care providers to take a CPR and first aid training course before caring for children. There is no specified number of hours required. In family or in-home care centers, only the license holder must complete training.

Ongoing Training

Every year, the director and staff of child care centers must complete between 20 and 40 hours of in-service training. However, they have the ability to choose which trainings they complete during a given year. CPR and first aid is one of those options, but it is required to be completed by all teachers and assistant teachers every three years. The number of hours is not specified in the regulations.

The requirements are similar for in-home care centers, with two exceptions. The license holder and all adult caregivers are required to complete 16 hours of ongoing training every year. Again, CPR and first aid is an option each year, but it must be completed every two years.

Of course, these requirements only apply to licensed child care providers. Grandparents and other family members, babysitters and other unlicensed providers are not required by law to be trained in CPR. However, we strongly recommend that anyone who cares for an infant or small child for any period of time be able to perform CPR and basic first aid. Emergencies happen in any setting, and they often happen fast. It’s important to be able to provide lifesaving care for a child, should the need arise.

Register For a CPR Class Today

 

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR and First Aid in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota. We offer online, night and weekend classes to fit your busy schedule!

HeartCert offers a variety of courses, including CPR/AED/First Aid and CPR/AED, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Emergency Medical Responder – First Responder (EMR). Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available.

Find your CPR class at any of our convenient Twin Cities locations, including our new headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan.

HeartCert CPR Introduces New Eagan Headquarters

HeartCert CPR is excited to announce the grand opening of our new headquarters in Eagan! This new location will serve as our home base, providing a centralized location for our CPR courses and permitting us to offer new classes, such as our new training for Emergency Medical Responders.

Minutes from downtown Minneapolis, the Mall of America and MSP International Airport, and an easy drive from most Twin Cities suburbs, Eagan was a logical choice for our home base. The office is spacious and well-appointed, offering a welcoming and comfortable space to learn CPR, First Aid and more.

Eagan

In addition to CPR courses and our corporate offices, the Eagan location is also available for rent for meetings, trainings, conferences and more. With free parking and Wi-Fi, a fully-stocked kitchenette, on-site audio-visual and copy/scan/print equipment, multiple private office spaces and more, HeartCert Eagan is the perfect place to host your next corporate event. Our rates are competitive, and with 24/7 access, we can fit your schedule. Learn more, schedule a tour, and reserve space here!

We can’t wait to see you at our new location! Visit the Eagan class calendar and sign up for a course today. Contact us with any questions.

 

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for First Aid and CPR in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota. We now offer online, night and weekend classes to fit your busy schedule!

Find your CPR Class, PALS Class, BLS Class, EMR Class or ACLS Class at any of our convenient Minnesota locations, including our new headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan:

We also partner with Appleton and Anchorage for select classes.

Twin Cities Safety is Now HeartCert

New Name, New Website, New Locations…Same Great Courses!

logo

HeartCert, formerly Twin Cities Safety, has a new name and website but still provides the same great CPR/AED, First Aid and BLS training courses. HeartCert is a proud provider of American Heart Association CPR and ECC Courses. We are a fully licensed and certified safety company servicing the entire Tri-State Area of Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin. All of our CPR/AED, First Aid, and BLS courses are taught to American Heart Association standards by experienced professionals who make each course exciting, fun, and convenient all for the lowest prices available! We now also offer AED sales and compliance in addition to our CPR classes so we can be your one stop safety shop.

We offer CPR and First Aid classes for all skill sets and levels of experience. Whether you are an experienced Healthcare Professional, or a new parent just wanting to know ‘the basics’, we have a class for you! We can teach a convenient one on one CPR or first aid training session, or we can certify a large group on-site depending on your needs. Accredited by the Better Business Bureau (A+ Rating), HeartCert offers superior customer service and outstanding quality for all of your training needs. You can be assured that you are making the correct choice in training with HeartCert as we offer the best classes, at unbeatable prices!

With convenient locations throughout the Twin Cities metro areas as well as new locations in Rochester, Duluth and Mankato, we are available across Minnesota with our classes and training. Looking for onsite training for a large group? Our experienced instructors will certify your group at a time and location of your choosing. Not only is this a convenient means to stay compliant, we also have unbeatable group and business discounts! Personalized, On-Site CPR/First Aid training is a great solution for: Day-cares, group/assisted living homes, construction sites, schools, church groups, manufacturing facilities, boy/girl scouts, and any company safety first response team. Discounted class vouchers are available which can be an great option for companies where many employees need training at different times.

HeartCert is the smart choice when you’re looking for affordable, quality training to improve the quality of care and chance for survival in case of emergency. Plan your next group training session at one of our convenient locations; view our Course Calendar to get started.

What is The History Behind CPR?

You may know CPR as being one of the best tools to buy time to help a person live until emergency personnel can arrive to restart the victim’s heart. But this lifesaving technique is actually not a recent invention, as some people may believe. Below is a short history of CPR.

The 18th and 19th Centuries

In 1740, the Paris Academy of Sciences recommended the use of artificial respiration to drowning victims and in 1767 the Society for the Recovery of Drowned persons was set up to help people deal with sudden and unexpected death. In the 19th century, Dr. H. R. Silvester invented a method of artificial respiration called the “Silvester Method”. A victim was laid on his or her back with the arms above their head (to help open the airways) and another person pressed on the victim’s chest to cause him or her to exhale.

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