How Long Does an AED Battery Last?
AED batteries are the source of the electric shock used to reverse sudden cardiac arrest, which is why it’s so critical to understand AED battery life and ensure that replacement batteries are available. While battery life varies between manufacturers and models, AED batteries typically last anywhere from two to seven years and should always be […]
What Cardiac Arrest Feels Like
If you have never experienced sudden cardiac arrest, it’s natural to wonder what cardiac arrest feels like. A family history of cardiac arrest, heart attacks, coronary artery disease, or hypertension indicates you are at high risk for cardiac health issues. Identifying pre-cardiac arrest symptoms, understanding what happens in cardiac arrest (pathology), and knowing how to […]
Can Heart Disease Be Reversed?
Heart disease, especially coronary artery disease, is the leading cause of death in the United States, so it’s worth assessing if—and how—this group of conditions can be reversed. Medical-oriented websites often stress the impossibility of reversing heart disease and focus on halting or slowing its progression. Meanwhile, lifestyle rehabilitation programs claim amazing results. So, which […]
How to Find Your AED Serial Number
Knowing how to find the serial number on your AED can be helpful if you want: additional information about the model you have to register your AED with the manufacturer and local authorities to replace the pads or battery to make a claim regarding a product recall While the exact location of the serial number […]
Troubleshooting Your ZOLL AED Plus
There are several error messages that you might see or hear when using the ZOLL AED Plus, including a failed self-test, a “change batteries” prompt, a “plug in cable” prompt, a “release shock button” prompt, an “analysis halted, keep victim still” prompt, a red “X” in the status indicator window, or a beeping noise when […]
What’s the Average AED Survival Rate?
AED survival rates without chest compressions or defibrillation are essentially zero, but with early bystander CPR and a defibrillation shock provided within less than 3 minutes after collapse, the AED survival rate can be as high as 74% for patients with ventricular fibrillation. Studies have shown over and over again that a rapid response is […]
Respiratory Arrest vs Cardiac Arrest
The main difference between respiratory arrest and cardiac arrest is that respiratory arrest occurs when a person stops breathing while cardiac arrest occurs when a person’s heart stops beating (or only quivers ineffectively). In respiratory arrest, there is still blood flow and a pulse for the first few minutes. However, if left untreated, the condition […]
How Defibrillator Voltage Works in Resuscitation Efforts
The electrical shock to the heart provided by an automated external defibrillator (originally measured in volts) shuts down the disordered electrical impulses that lead to cardiac arrest so that a normal heart rhythm can restart—preventing sudden cardiac death. There are several levels of electrical energy that can be used to achieve this, depending on the […]
Is Cardiac Arrest Hereditary?
If someone in your family has suffered a heart attack, sudden cardiac arrest, or sudden cardiac death, it’s only natural to wonder whether you might also be at risk. According to simple statistics, a family history of heart disease makes it more likely that you will also develop heart disease, which in turn, increases your […]
Differences Between a Defibrillator vs Pacemaker
Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) and pacemakers are two devices that are sometimes implanted into a person’s upper chest to help them maintain (or restore) a normal heart rhythm. The main difference between a pacemaker vs defibrillator is that a pacemaker helps to maintain a steady heart rhythm while an implantable cardioverter defibrillator sends either a […]