Tag: National Heart Month

By Cassie Sage, an American Red Cross Intern in Minnesota

It’s February, the month of love. A month that is centered on valentines and as we are out and about we see hearts and decorations everywhere we go. We are focused on loving the most important people in our lives and we go out and buy them chocolate and other Valentine’s Day inspired gifts.

Although Valentine’s Day is in February, it is also National Heart Month, which is quite fitting. It is a month that focuses on educating people on how to react and respond if a person suffers from a cardiac arrest. Every year more than 300,000 people die of sudden cardiac arrest but when CPR is performed or an automated external defibrillator can help save the lives of victims.

The American Red Cross offers in person or in class training courses to the public and teaches people how to respond to sudden cardiac arrest, along with first and CPR. So in the spirit of love and hearts here are the Top Ten Reasons to take a CPR class:

1. You are prepared in an emergency situation.
2. If an emergency occurs and you perform CPR a person is three times more likely to survive.
3. You are able to help save a loved one.
4. You can help save someone else’s loved one.
5. You become knowledgeable about something that is very important.
6. CPR is a skill that cannot be learned online, the Red Cross offers in depth classes that will teach an invaluable skill.
7. Out of 200,000 cardiac arrest deaths a year almost 50,000 are preventable. CPR will lessen this number.
8. You can be confident that you will be prepared to help if an accident occurs.
9. You will learn to use life-saving technology, such as an AED, which are available in almost all public places.
10. This is a skill that can be valuable for a lifetime and you will never know when it will be useful, but when it is everyone will be glad you know CPR.

There are many other reasons why everyone should take a CPR class no matter what month it is. You may have your own personal reasons or stories as to why knowing CPR is important but lets all take the time to take care of everyone’s hearts.