HeartCert CPR Training

Training Heroes Everyday in CPR

CPR course

Exciting News: HeartCert Launches Three New Locations

HeartCert CPR is proud to have multiple locations across the Twin Cities. We’re excited to announce that we’ve expanded our classes into three new locations: Blaine, Brooklyn Park and Eagan. Find a class at a location near you!

Twin Cities Locations:

Blaine

Our Blaine classes are offered at Rasmussen College: 3629 95th Avenue NE

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Brooklyn Park 

Our Brooklyn Park classes are offered at Rasmussen College: 8301 93rd Ave N

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Burnsville

Our Burnsville classes are offered at 220 S. River Ridge Circle

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Eagan 

Our Eagan classes are offered at Rasmussen College: 3500 Federal Dr

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Eden Prairie

Our Eden Prairie classes are offered at Fare Hypnosis Center: 8353 Crystal Rd #201

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Minneapolis

Our Minneapolis classes are offered at 615 First Avenue NE

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St. Paul

Our St. Paul classes are offered at 840 Westminster St

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Woodbury/Lake Elmo

Our Woodbury and Lake Elmo classes are offered at:

  • 8565 Eagle Point Circle
  • 8147 Globe Dr #100

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Other Locations:

Duluth

Our Duluth classes are offered at University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth Campus: Room SMed 165, 1035 University Dr

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Mankato

Our Mankato classes are offered at:

  • Rasmussen College: Rm 104, 130 St Andrews Dr.
  • Hosanna Highland Campus & Community Church: 329 Ellis Ave

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We also offer classes in Appleton, Wisconsin and Anchorage, Alaska.

Are you a certified instructor interested in expanding HeartCert to your location? Contact us for teaching opportunities.

HeartCert CPR is your trusted training partner for First Aid and CPR in Minnesota. Find your CPR Class, PALS Class, BLS Class or ACLS Class at any of our Minnesota locations.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest or Heart Attack: Know the Difference

Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Heart Attack are NOT the Same Thing!

cardiac arrest
Image Credit: ©2017 American Heart Association, Inc.

A little knowledge can be a lifesaving thing. Too often, people use “sudden cardiac arrest” and “heart attack” interchangeably, but they shouldn’t. A heart attack is when blood flow to the heart is blocked and sudden cardiac arrest is when the heart malfunctions and suddenly stops beating unexpectedly. A heart attack is a “circulation” problem and sudden cardiac arrest is an “electrical” problem. The American Heart Association provides a few more facts it may be healthy to know:

What is a Heart Attack?

A heart attack occurs when a blocked artery keeps oxygen-rich blood from reaching a section of the heart. If the blocked artery is not reopened quickly, the part of the heart normally nourished by that artery begins to die. The longer a person goes without treatment, the greater the damage. Symptoms of a heart attack may be immediate and intense. More often, though, symptoms start slowly and persist for hours, days or even weeks before the heart attack. The heart usually does not stop beating during a heart attack. Symptoms can differ in men and women.

What is Cardiac Arrest?

Sudden cardiac arrest often occurs without warning. It’s triggered by an electrical malfunction in the heart that causes an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). With its pumping action disrupted, the heart cannot send blood to the brain, lungs and other organs. Seconds later, a person loses consciousness and has no pulse. Death occurs within minutes if the victim does not receive treatment.

What is the link between the two?

These two distinct heart conditions are linked. Sudden cardiac arrest can occur after a heart attack or during recovery. Heart attacks increase the risk for sudden cardiac arrest. Most heart attacks do not lead to sudden cardiac arrest but when sudden cardiac arrest occurs, heart attack is a common cause. Other heart conditions may also disrupt the heart’s rhythm and lead to sudden cardiac arrest. These include a thickened heart muscle (cardiomyopathy), heart failure, and arrhythmias, particularly ventricular fibrillation and long QT syndrome.

What to do: Heart Attack

Even if you’re not sure it’s a heart attack, don’t wait more than five minutes to call 9-1-1 or other emergency response number. Every minute matters. It’s best to call EMS to get to the emergency room right away. Emergency medical services staff can begin treatment when they arrive—up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. EMS staff are also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. Patients with chest pain who arrive by ambulance may get faster treatment at the hospital, too.

What to do: Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Cardiac arrest is reversible in most victims if it’s treated within a few minutes. First, call 9-1-1 for emergency medical services. Then use an automated external defibrillator (AED) if one is available. Begin CPR immediately and continue until professional emergency medical services arrive. If two people are available to help, one should begin CPR immediately while the other calls 9-1-1 and finds an AED. Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death—nearly 360,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur annually in the United States. By performing immediate CPR, you can double or even triple a victim’s chance of survival.

Learn More

Fast action can save lives. It’s a good idea to know what to do if someone experiences a heart attack or cardiac arrest. HeartCert offers 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 learn ‘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. Visit our Home page to get started.

Source: ©2017 American Heart Association, Inc.

Snow Shoveling Safety

Tips for Preventing a Cardiac Injury While Snow Shoveling

snow shovelingWinter has officially arrived in Minnesota, with snow storms the past two weekends forcing residents state-wide to pull out our shovels and fire up our snow blowers. Clearing our driveways and sidewalks is an added duty that we all have to tackle each winter and although it may be tiring and inconvenient, it can also be dangerous. A study conducted by US Nationwide Children’s Hospital found that every winter, almost 100 people in the United States die from cardiac-related injuries associated with snow shoveling. 

Whether it is a few inches or a whole foot of snow, there are things to remember when going to clear it all out. Snow can be heavy and pushing it around with a shovel and throwing it onto your snow banks is exhausting, whether you have been doing other physical activity or not. Here are some tips for safely shoveling snow:

  • Do not shovel after eating or while smoking
  • Take it slow and stretch out before you begin
  • Shovel only fresh, powdery snow; it’s lighter
  • Push the snow rather than lifting it
  • If you do lift it, use a small shovel or only partially fill the shovel
  • Lift with your legs, not your back
  • Do not work to the point of exhaustion
  • Stay hydrated
  • Wear warm, breathable layers

If you are tackling a huge snowfall’s worth of snow, take frequent breaks, clearing your driveway in sections. If possible, get out and shovel while it is snowing to take it out layer by layer, before it gets too heavy or compacted.

If you are currently or have recently been facing lung or heart problems, consult a doctor first. At any feelings of tightness in the chest or dizziness, stop immediately. Always take your health into concern before worrying about shoveling your driveway. You are more important. If possible, shovel with someone else in your household or when a neighbor is shoveling as well so that you can monitor each other. If possible, keep your cell phone on your so that you can use it if need in an emergency.

Are you prepared to provide life-saving care in case of a snow-related cardiac emergency? HeartCert provides affordable, quality training to improve the quality of care and chance for survival in case of emergency. Plan your next on-site group training or attend a session at one of our convenient locations; click here to get started.

The Difference between a BLS and a Heartsaver Course

Which Course Should You Be Taking?

bystander CPR training coursehealthcare provider CPR course

Whether you are looking to sign-up for a course for yourself or a group of people, there are a few things to consider. Why are you looking to take a CPR course? What level of skills are you looking to obtain? We offer various types of instruction that pertain to your needs and certifications. The following are the differences between our Basic Life Support (BLS) and Heartsaver courses.

Are you a Nurse, Doctor, Hospital/Clinic Personnel or Dental Assistant? If you said yes, then you are looking for a BLS course. This four-hour long course will train you on recognizing and responding to various life threatening emergencies. You will practice providing 1 and 2 rescuer CPR for adults, children and infants, as well as using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). You will also learn and practice how to relieve choking.

Find a Location Near You

If you are an individual with little or no medical training, looking for a course completion for another job such as in a day-care or school, then you are looking for the Heartsaver course. Here, you will be taught the basics of First-Aid, CPR, AED and how to provide assistant safely and timely in an effective manner. In addition, we will show how to recognize cardiac arrest and be able to help until EMS assistance arrives.

There are also other specific courses such as CNA training, IV training, EKG training, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and pediatric care.

Determine which course best fits your needs and certifications and connect with us to sign up at a location near you.  With the assistance of our certified trainers, you will learn the different ways to effectively aid in the safety of another person and build the confidence in providing life-saving skills.

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 on-site group training or attend a session at one of our convenient locations; click here to get started.