World Heart Day is September 29th . Take care of your hardest-working muscles.

World Heart Day is a reminder to everyone around the world to take care of their hearts. This year’s campaign focuses on the essential step of knowing our hearts first.

BECAUSE WE LOVE AND PROTECT ONLY WHAT WE KNOW.

In a world where knowledge about heart health is limited, and policies are insufficient or lacking, the World Heart Federation aims to shatter barriers and empower individuals to take control of their well-being.

BECAUSE WHEN WE KNOW MORE, WE CAN TAKE BETTER CARE.

World Heart Day was established by the World Heart Federation (WHF) and was first observed on September 29, 2000. It is an annual global, multi-lingual celebration. Spanning six continents, hundreds of World Heart Federation (WHF) member organizations, countless schools, universities, sports clubs, and the vibrant cardiology community make World Heart Day (WHD) a truly global celebration. The annual event raises awareness about cardiovascular diseases (CVD), promotes heart health, and encourages individuals and communities to take action to prevent and control heart-related issues. Since over 17 million people die from heart disease yearly, World Heart Day is particularly relevant for people at risk of heart disease or those with a history of heart-related issues in their families. However, since heart health is a concern for everyone, it’s a day that anyone ca participate in and benefit from.

WORLD HEART DAY CHALLENGE

You can participate in the WHF’s World Heart Day Challenge by walking, running, or biking a heart shape in your city. Here is how:

1. Plan out a route to create your best heart-shaped route where you are.

2. You choose how you want to execute the shape - Whether you prefer to walk, run, or cycle, complete your heart shape, it’s up to you.

3. Then, upload your route with a photo and details to add to our challenge wall.

Share your route on social media using the hashtag #WorldHeartDay to inspire others to create their own or try your route.

OTHER WAYS TO ENGAGE

1. Tune into WHF’s World Heart Day heart-themed Spotify playlist to motivate you to move in with your favorite exercise activity.

2. Take a Heartsaver CPR course at ACLS Academy. CPR is a life skill everyone should learn and can learn. The American Heart Association’s Heartsaver courses are designed for non-medical professionals and are as easy as completing an online course followed by a 1–2-hour hands-on skills session. Though no one wants to encounter a situation that requires CPR, it’s comforting to know you are equipped with the skills should the situation arise.

3. Make a Heart Healthy change like eating better, getting more active, saying no to tobacco, managing your stress, diabetes, and cholesterol, and getting enough sleep.

4. Take the WHF’s Heart Personality Quiz

5. Visit the World Heart Foundation and follow them on social media to learn how to get involved. Many resources, tips, and info will be shared up to 29 September.

WHF’s Remit: Reducing the Global Burden of CVD

The World Heart Federation (WHF) was founded in 1978 as a global non-governmental organization dedicated to leading the global fight against cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and promoting heart health. The WHF’s mission is to reduce the global burden of cardiovascular disease, which includes heart disease and stroke, and to ensure that people from all walks of life can enjoy heart-healthy lives.

World Heart Federation’s main goals include:

• Awareness and Advocacy: The WHF works to raise awareness about the risk factors, prevention, and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. It advocates for policies and initiatives that support heart health at the global, regional, and national levels.

• Research and Education: The organization promotes research and education related to cardiovascular diseases. It provides resources, tools, and information to healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the general public to improve understanding and management of heart-related issues.

• Prevention and Control: The WHF focuses on preventing and controlling cardiovascular diseases by promoting healthy lifestyles, encouraging policy changes, and supporting programs that address risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and high blood pressure.

• Capacity Building: The WHF works to strengthen healthcare systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, by providing training, guidance, and support for healthcare professionals and organizations.

• Collaboration: The organization fosters collaboration among governments, non-governmental organizations, healthcare providers, researchers, and other stakeholders to address the global burden of cardiovascular diseases collectively.

The World Heart Federation is supported globally by a wide range of individuals and organizations, such as:

• Healthcare Professionals: Medical practitioners, researchers, nurses, and other healthcare workers who are involved in the prevention, treatment, and management of cardiovascular diseases.

• National Heart Foundations and Societies: These are organizations in various countries that work to promote heart health, provide education, and support research efforts.

• Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Companies: Some companies in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries provide support through funding, partnerships, and initiatives that align with the WHF’s goals.

• Governments and Policy Organizations: Governments, ministries of health, and international health agencies may collaborate with the WHF to implement policies and programs that address cardiovascular health.

• Academic and Research Institutions: Universities, research centers, and academic institutions contribute to the WHF’s mission through research, education, and the dissemination of knowledge.

• Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): NGOs interested in public health and heart health may partner with the WHF to collectively address the global burden of cardiovascular diseases.

Ways to get involved with WHF include World Heart Day, membership, Emerging Leaders Program, events, partnership opportunities, or donating.

We hope you will consider joining us on September 29 th, World Heart Day and putting your heart first.

A Heart Dancing Without Rhythm: September is National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month

What do Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Ellen DeGeneres, President Biden, Gene Simmons, Larry Bird, and Billy Jean King have in common? Atrial Fibrillation, aka AFib. Even the Rocket Man, Sir Elton John, has AFib, which affects an estimated 2.7 to 6.1 million people in the United States alone at any given time. It also causes about 450,000 hospitalizations annually, contributing to approximately 158,000 deaths yearly. Additionally, as the population grows older, the number of cases is expected to rise; experts estimate there will be 12.1 million cases in the U.S. by 2030.

In 2007, StopAfib.org started Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month in September to raise awareness of AFib so people get diagnosed and treated before a stroke. The organization worked with medical societies and the United States Senate to designate September National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month in 2009.

What is AFib?

AFib is the most common type of irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia). During arrhythmias, the heart may not be able to pump enough blood to the body, and lack of blood flow can damage the brain, heart , and other organs. Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart irregularity or cardiac arrhythmia due to a heart’s electrical system malfunction.

There are three Types of Atrial Fibrillation:

1. Paroxysmal refers to AFib that comes and goes on its own. The AFib may last seconds, minutes, hours, or even several days before the heart returns to its normal rhythm. People with this type of AF may have more symptoms than others. As the heart goes in and out of AFib, the pulse rate may change from slow to fast and back again in short periods.

2. Persistent is when the AFib does not stop by itself and lasts for more than seven days. Medications or a special electrical shock (cardioversion) are needed to help the heart return to a normal rhythm. If no treatment is given, the heart will stay in AFib. If the persistent AFib lasts for more than one year, this type of AFib is called long-standing persistent AFib.

3. Permanent is when a normal heart rhythm cannot be restored. Medications, procedures, and controlled electrical shocks do not help return the heart to a normal rhythm.

Atrial fibrillation is generally not life-threatening, and many people live normal, healthy lives with this condition, but it can be uncomfortable and often needs treatment. Since the blood does not properly move from the atria into the ventricles and then onto the rest of the body, it can starve the body of oxygen-rich blood, leaving you feeling weak, tired, or even incapacitated. Even more serious is that the blood in the atria can pool and create blood clots, which may spawn in the rest of the body, causing a stroke or heart attack. Stroke is the number three killer and the number one cause of permanent disability. AFib can also overwork the heart and cause heart failure over an extended period.

Symptoms of AFib:

Some people who have AFib do not know they have it and do not have any symptoms. Others may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Feeling over-tired or not having energy (most common)

• Having a faster than usual pulse or changes between fast and slow.

• Being short of breath

• Experiencing heart palpitations (feeling like your heart is racing, pounding, or fluttering)

• Having trouble with everyday exercises or activities

• Experiencing pain, pressure, tightness, or discomfort in your chest

• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded

• Fainting

• Having to use the bathroom more often (increased urination)

Risk factors for AFib?

The risk for AFib increases with age. High blood pressure, the risk for which also increases with advancing age, accounts for about 1 in 5 cases of AFib.

• Advancing age

• High blood pressure

• Obesity

• European ancestry

• Diabetes

• Heart failure

• Ischemic heart disease

• Hyperthyroidism

• Chronic kidney disease

• Moderate to heavy alcohol use

• Smoking

• Enlargement of the chambers on the left side of the heart

Quality of Life Issues from Atrial Fibrillation

In addition to increasing the risk of stroke and heart failure, AFib can affect quality of life, too. One way is through leading to cognitive decline and dementia. The medical industry is learning more about AFib’s role in developing dementia, and it is still very early in our understanding.

Treatment for AFib

There are several treatment options for AFib based on several factors, including symptoms, the type of AFib (such as paroxysmal or persistent), and the cause of the AFib. Options include:

• Medicines to control the heart’s rhythm and rate.

• Blood-thinning medicine to prevent blood clots from forming and reduce stroke risk.

• Surgery

• Medicine and healthy lifestyle changes to manage AFib risk factors.

Listening to your body and paying attention to your symptoms is crucial. If you experience any of the symptoms we have noted, discussing them with a health care professional is essential. Only they can determine whether the symptoms indicate AFib or another medical condition. Seeking medical attention early may help reduce the risk of AFib contributing to a more severe condition such as stroke. You must do what is best for you and your health now.

Our Expert Nursing Instructors: Ambassadors to Passing Your TNCC Exam

Do not be daunted by the thought of taking a Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC). While the course scope and a hefty textbook weighing in at over 400 pages can seem a bit overwhelming, our highly experienced and educated instructors are here to assist you in mastering the material and skills you need to not only pass the test but feel confident in applying your new knowledge to actual scenarios you may experience in the emergency room.

The TNCC curriculum was created by the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) in the 1980s to address the need for specialized education and training for nurses in trauma and emergency care settings. The TNCC 9th edition course book, released last month, features reshaped and revised pre-course learning activities to include modules on communication in the ED and patients in shock, the addition of a chapter on care of LGBTQ+ trauma patients, and more Trauma Nursing Process teaching scenarios which create additional opportunities to apply course content into simulated patient exercises.

What has not changed in the newest edition is that TNCC’s foundational education highlights the latest trauma nursing practice recommendations, information on the systematic assessment and standardized approach to trauma nursing care, and a focus on rapid identification of life-threatening injuries.

Interested in hearing more about the new edition straight from members of the team who helped develop the updated TNCC, 9th Edition? Tune in to the ENA podcast to hear about what’s new and enhanced in the cornerstone course that helps prepare emergency nurses to care for trauma patients.

What does the course cover?

General course content covers the latest trauma nursing practice recommendations, systematic assessment and care application, and rapid identification of life-threatening injuries. Participants will also learn:

• Trauma Assessment and Management: Techniques for rapid and comprehensive assessment of trauma patients, identifying life-threatening injuries, and initiating appropriate interventions.

• Airway and Ventilation Management: Strategies for maintaining a patent airway and ensuring proper ventilation in trauma patients, including advanced airway management techniques.

• Shock and Hemorrhage Control: Identification and management of different types of shock and techniques to control bleeding and prevent hemorrhage-related complications.

• Head and Spinal Cord Injuries: To minimize secondary damage, evaluate and manage head injuries, including traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries.

• Musculoskeletal Injuries: Assessment and care of fractures, dislocations, and other musculoskeletal trauma.

• Burns and Environmental Injuries: Recognition and initial management of burn injuries and other injuries resulting from exposure to extreme environmental conditions.

• Pediatrics and Geriatrics: Special considerations and techniques for assessing and managing trauma in pediatric and geriatric populations.

• Psychological and Emotional Support: Strategies for providing emotional support and communication techniques to trauma patients and their families.

• Patient Advocacy and Ethical Considerations: Understanding ethical dilemmas and legal aspects related to trauma care and advocating for patients’ rights and informed decision-making.

Who Should Take the Course?

Emergency room nurses should consider taking the TNCC course to advance their skills in these areas:

• Enhanced Clinical Skills: The TNCC course equips nurses with advanced assessment and management skills specific to trauma care, enabling them to provide high-quality and efficient care to critically injured patients.

• Improved Patient Outcomes: With the knowledge gained from the TNCC course, nurses can identify life-threatening conditions quickly and initiate appropriate interventions, leading to improved patient outcomes and survival rates.

• Confidence and Competence: The course instills confidence in nurses by providing them with the necessary tools to manage complex trauma cases effectively and efficiently.

• Standardized Approach: TNCC follows evidence-based guidelines and best practices in trauma care, promoting a standardized approach to patient assessment and management, which is crucial in a fast-paced emergency environment.

• Professional Development: Completing the TNCC course demonstrates a commitment to professional growth and ongoing education, which can contribute to career advancement and emergency and trauma nursing opportunities.

There are some prerequisites for taking the course, as participants must be an RN and possess an unrestricted nursing license to receive verification. However, LPNs and paramedics can attend all course portions except for the written and psychomotor evaluations. For this reason, they do not receive confirmation but are awarded contact hours.

What Methods of Learning Can You Expect?

At ACLS Academy, a variety of learning methodologies are included to cater to every learning style:

Textbook: The latest TNCC Trauma Nursing Core Course Provider Manual edition includes evidence-based content developed by trauma emergency experts. The 24-chapter, comprehensive manual is a compilation of current trauma nursing standards and a valuable resource for future reference.

Online learning: Online modules with links to additional information are provided before the course date to let you learn at your own pace, apply what you know, receive immediate feedback, and refer back to information at any time. The modules are a complete case study process — taking you through an entire sequence of care. Schedule it around your work and personal commitments to devote the attention and energy it deserves so that you maximize its potential and attend the in-person component prepared and ready to apply your learning.

Live simulation: TNCC includes hands-on training using individual and team approaches. Trauma nursing process psychomotor skills stations allow you to practice trauma patient assessments and interventions in a controlled environment. Skill Stations include Trauma Nursing Process Teaching Stations, Airway and Ventilation Interventions Teaching Stations, Spinal Protection, Helmet Removal, and Splinting Physical Assessment Stations.

Instructor-led classroom discussions and skill stations: TNCC is a one-and-a-half-day intensive course taught by expert instructors.

The TNCC Final Exam Test is an open book format with fifty multiple-choice questions to be completed in 2-hours with 80% to pass.

Nurses who complete the course receive a four-year, internationally recognized TNCC provider verification and earn 18.3 CNE contact hours.

ACLS Academy TNCC course schedule can be found here.

Who’s Bringing the Cake? It’s the Big 3-0 For ENA’s Emergency Nursing Pediatrics Course (ENPC)

It’s 1993, and the year’s number-one song was “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston. Jurassic Park was the movie to see in the theater (no streaming services yet – eek!). The Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) was publishing the 1 st edition of their Emergency Nursing Pediatrics Course (ENPC). Imagine there was a time when nurses were not specially trained to care for children in the hospital emergency room because course materials had not yet been developed. Thank goodness for the ENA!

What is ENPC?

Emergency Nursing Pediatrics Course (ENPC) is designed to provide core-level pediatric knowledge and psychomotor skills needed to care for pediatric patients.

Although Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS, American Heart Association) and Advanced Pediatric Life Support (APLS, American Heart Association) have been available since the 1980s, they did not focus on the nurse’s role. Instead, these courses focused primarily on pediatric resuscitation, which is required by only a small percentage of pediatric patients seeking emergency care. In 1991, the Emergency Nurses Association formed its pediatric committee in response to a request from its membership for a greater focus on pediatric emergency care. As pediatric patients often react more severely to physically traumatic events because of the size of their bodies and the lack of strength of some of their bodily systems, their healthcare provider community understood specialized training would be highly beneficial. The pediatric committee conducted a needs assessment, overwhelmingly supporting the need for a pediatric emergency course. Developed and implemented in 1993, the goal of the ENPC is to improve the care of pediatric patients and improve the skill and confidence of the nurse in providing respect in the emergency department setting. This is similar to the Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC), except ENPC is designed for the especially fragile pediatric population.

Several key factors drove the development of ENPC:

• Unique Needs of Pediatric Patients: Pediatric patients have specific physiological and psychological needs that differ from adult patients. Emergency nurses require specialized knowledge and skills to assess, manage, and provide appropriate care to pediatric patients.

• High-Stress Environment: Emergency departments are fast-paced and high-stress environments. Pediatric emergencies can be particularly challenging due to their unpredictable nature and emotional impact on patients, their families, and healthcare providers. ENPC was created to equip nurses with the expertise to handle such situations confidently and competently.

• Knowledge Gap: Before ENPC, there was a recognized knowledge gap among emergency nurses regarding pediatric care. Developing a comprehensive and evidence-based training program like ENPC addressed this gap and promoted standardized pediatric emergency care. 

• Evidence-Based Practice: ENA focused on creating a course rooted in evidence-based practice and guidelines. By basing the curriculum on the latest research and best practices, ENPC ensures that nurses are well-prepared to provide optimal care to pediatric patients during emergencies.

• Simulation and Hands-On Training: ENPC incorporates simulation and hands-on training to provide nurses with practical experience in managing pediatric emergencies. This approach allows nurses to practice critical skills in a controlled environment before applying them in real-life situations.

• Improving Patient Outcomes: By empowering emergency nurses with specialized pediatric knowledge and skills, ENPC aims to enhance patient outcomes and reduce the potential for medical errors in pediatric emergency care.

• Standardization of Pediatric Care: ENPC promotes standardization of care across various healthcare settings. When nurses across the country or even internationally undergo similar training, it creates a common language and approach to pediatric emergencies, leading to better collaboration and patient care.

ENPC 6th Edition Course

In January 2023, the ENA launched the ENPC, 6th  Edition, featuring more focused presentation-based teaching. Last updated in 2018, ENA has worked to update the course to offer more applicable knowledge for the clinical setting by taking input from nurses and members on the frontline, including better alignment with the American Heart Association’s resuscitation science and the trauma nursing process taught in the Trauma Nursing Core Course. Also added are two resuscitation scenarios to reinforce PALS content. The 6th  Edition features new chapters on:

•  The Child with a Rash and The Child with Special Health Care Needs

•  The reintroduction of a dedicated trauma chapter, The Child with an Injury

•  The Child in Need of Stabilization includes resuscitation and critically ill presentations.

•  An expanded chapter, Preparing for Pediatric Emergencies, describes quality initiatives and the seven focus areas included in the National Pediatric Readiness Project.

The pre-course work includes elements to make the content more applicable to the learner’s practice area, acknowledging regional variations.

ENPC at ACLS Academy

ACLS Academy is an authorized American Heart Associate (AHA) Aligned Training Center with three convenient locations in Massachusetts – Quincy, Bridgewater, and Newton Center. ACLS Academy’s ENPC is an 18-hour course designed to provide core-level pediatric knowledge and psychomotor skills needed to care for pediatric patients in the emergency setting. The course presents a systematic assessment model, integrates anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology, and identifies appropriate interventions. It also allows participants to strengthen and develop their pediatric emergency nursing skills while expanding their personal growth by collaborating with nurses from various practice settings. ENPC brings together participants from various emergency department settings and nurses in other nursing specialties. Course materials include the newly released 6th Edition course book, which will be an excellent resource even after completing the course.

Course content covers:

•  Early patient assessment

•  Systematic assessment of the pediatric patient

•  Pediatric pathophysiology

•  Pediatric triage

•  Early interventions

•  Family presence

•  Pediatric care from birth through the teenage years

The course is taught using a variety of formats, including online modules, live simulations, patient experience videos, and instructor-led classroom discussions and skills stations that encourage participants to integrate their psychomotor abilities into a patient situation in a risk-free setting. The instructors are medical professionals or highly trained individuals who will coach you through each step of the lifesaving process. Upon successful course completion, you will receive a 4-year, internationally recognized verification as an ENPC provider and earn 18.25 contact hours of CNE.

Sign up here for ACLS Academy’s ENPC, or contact us for questions or additional information.

September is National Cholesterol Education Month: Learn the Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Cholesterol

“It’s a scientific fact that your body will not absorb cholesterol if you take it from someone else’s plate” – Dave Barry.

Don’t we all wish this were true? Bacon, cheese, butter, steak & burgers, heavy cream, shrimp! If you have high cholesterol, these items are the poster child of what to avoid, and you probably experience just a teensy bit of guilt when consuming these delicacies.

WHAT IS CHOLESTEROL?

Cholesterol is a type of lipid (fat) present in our bodies and is essential for various physiological functions. The body does not need cholesterol from food and can naturally manufacture it. The liver naturally produces cholesterol, a fatty substance that helps the body make hormones and digest fatty foods. However, there is also cholesterol in animal-based foods, such as the bacon, cheese, butter, and eggs we all love and consume, and may impact our cholesterol numbers.

Like many things, cholesterol has both positive and negative aspects. Here's an overview of the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of cholesterol:

The Good:

1. Cell Membrane Structure: Cholesterol is a vital component of cell membranes, providing structural integrity and fluidity to cell walls.

2. Hormone Production: Cholesterol is a precursor to essential hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, and cortisol, which play crucial roles in various bodily functions.

3. Bile Acid Synthesis: Cholesterol is used to produce bile acids in the liver, which are essential for the digestion and absorption of fats.

4. Vitamin D Synthesis: Cholesterol is a precursor for synthesizing vitamin D, essential for bone health, immune function, and other processes.

5. Understanding your Cholesterol Numbers is Easy: All that is needed is a simple blood test called a lipid profile. Cholesterol tests measure two types of cholesterol:

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL): This type of cholesterol is what many people consider the “bad” kind. Elevated levels of LDL can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, clogged arteries, and other heart health issues.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL): This “good” cholesterol can help remove and carry it back to the liver. Higher levels of HDL may lower a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease.

Total cholesterol is a measure of HDL plus LDL and also triglycerides. Triglycerides are a type of fat or lipid most influenced by what we eat and are closely related to cholesterol. Triglyceride levels change throughout the day and can also be a risk factor for heart attack and stroke. If your cholesterol is high, steps can be taken to lower it — like eating healthy, getting more physical activity, and taking medicine if your doctor recommends it.

6. Sweating can raise your good cholesterol levels. Aside from eating a healthy diet, including foods like heart-healthy salmon and avocado, you can increase your HDL levels — which protect against heart disease — by working out. The key is to use interval training by exercising at a medium intensity, sprinkling in bouts of high intensity.

The Bad:

LDL Cholesterol: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is often called "bad" cholesterol. Elevated LDL cholesterol levels in the bloodstream can lead to plaque buildup in arteries, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of the arteries) and cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks and strokes.

Atherosclerosis: Excess cholesterol, particularly LDL cholesterol, can contribute to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in arteries, restricting blood flow and increasing the risk of cardiovascular events.

Genetics: High cholesterol can run in families. If someone in your family has high cholesterol or takes medicine to control cholesterol, you might need to get tested more often. Talk to your doctor about what is best for you.

The Ugly:

Heart Disease: The accumulation of cholesterol plaques in arteries can lead to coronary artery disease (CAD) and other forms of heart disease. This can result in serious health complications, including heart attacks and heart failure.

Stroke: Atherosclerosis can also affect arteries leading to the brain, increasing the risk of strokes.

Peripheral Artery Disease: Cholesterol buildup in peripheral arteries can reduce blood flow to the limbs, causing pain, numbness, and even tissue damage.

Even children can have high cholesterol: Most people think of high cholesterol as an adult issue. However, the healthcare community now knows that starting testing early is one key to keeping levels normal. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends cholesterol screening for all kids between ages 9 and 11. Selective screening should be done even earlier — beginning at age 2 — for children at high risk of having cholesterol issues, including kids with:

• Obesity

• A family history of heart attacks

• A family history of high cholesterol

Managing Cholesterol: To maintain a healthy balance of cholesterol and minimize the negative effects, it is important to:

1. Monitor Levels: Regularly check your cholesterol levels and consult a healthcare professional to assess your risk factors for heart disease.

2. Be Conscious of Your Diet: Consume a diet low in saturated and trans fats, which can raise LDL cholesterol levels. Focus on a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats like those found in nuts, seeds, and fatty fish.

3. Get Physical: Engage in regular physical activity to help raise HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol (considered "good" cholesterol) levels and improve overall cardiovascular health.

4. Take your Medication: In some cases, medication such as statins may be prescribed by a healthcare provider to help manage cholesterol levels.

Do you know your cholesterol numbers? Celebrate National Cholesterol Education Month by finding out. Everyone can benefit from knowing their cholesterol numbers and doing what they can to prevent or reduce high cholesterol levels. High cholesterol has no symptoms, so individuals might not know their cholesterol is too high – unless it is measured by a doctor with a blood test.

For most people, Johns Hopkins recommends these healthy cholesterol levels. However, the numbers are general guidelines because actual target goals may depend on the number of risk factors you have for heart disease.

• Total cholesterol: less than 200 milligrams per deciliter

• LDL “bad” cholesterol: Optimal is less than 100 mg/dL.

• HDL “good” cholesterol: higher than 40 mg/dL

• Triglycerides: less than 150 mg/dL

Both you and your physician should review these numbers to assess potential health risks and whether lifestyle changes or medications may be needed to manage the levels.

Remember that cholesterol is a complex topic, and individual health needs vary. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice and recommendations based on your situation.

Want to learn more about cholesterol, global heart health, and recommendations by policy organizations to make inroads in the healthcare management of this health risk? Read the World Heart Federation (WHF) 2022 Cholesterol Road Map, setting out a framework for policymakers and healthcare professionals to address healthcare systems barriers and implement solutions to prevent undesirable exposure to cholesterol throughout the life course. The 2022 roadmap details WHF’s move from viewing high cholesterol not as the problem but lowering cholesterol throughout life with different approaches as the solution.

Choosing the Right CPR Course: BLS vs. ACLS vs. PALS

New to the healthcare field?  When it comes to certification courses, aspiring healthcare professionals may be unsure of exactly which courses they need to take. The differences between certifications like Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) can become a bit murky at times. All these terms describe types of CPR training for healthcare providers and professional rescuers. Emergency life support training and certification is essential for healthcare providers, medical paraprofessionals, and first responders. The three certifications are based on guidelines set forth by the American Heart Association (AHA). The AHA is the leader in resuscitation science, education, and training, and publisher of the official Guidelines for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC).  BLS, ACLS, and PALS courses teach critical skills needed to save a life during a cardiac event. While there is some overlap between the content of these courses, they each teach a different set of skills. However, depending on your job title and work environment, you will find that one of these courses most closely aligns with your occupational requirements. 

What’s the Difference?

Basically the objective of ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) and BLS (Basic Life Support) are the same, which is learning how to aid in saving the life of someone in cardiac arrest. However, the distinction between ACLS and BLS is the level of advancement between the two. PALS is more specialized and as the name indicates is focused on performing the advanced levels of life savings skills on children.

Let’s summarize what these certifications cover.

BLS: Basic Life Support

As you may suspect from its name, Basic Life Support certification covers the minimum emergency care you need to know before professionals can take over. It focuses on basic life-saving techniques that are essential for the immediate management of cardiac arrest, choking, or other life-threatening situations. It is designed for healthcare providers and individuals who are not healthcare professionals but may need to respond to emergencies in their workplace or community. Techniques covered in the course include:

• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): CPR is a technique used to maintain blood flow and oxygenation to vital organs when someone's heartbeat and breathing have stopped. The basic steps of CPR involve chest compressions and rescue breaths (mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-mask ventilation).

• Use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs): AEDs are portable devices that can analyze a person's heart rhythm and deliver an electric shock, if necessary, to restore a normal heartbeat in case of sudden cardiac arrest.

• Airway Management: Ensuring a clear airway is crucial in providing proper ventilation. Techniques for clearing airway obstructions, such as the head-tilt/chin-lift or jaw thrust maneuver, are taught in BLS courses.

• Rescue Breaths: BLS training covers techniques for delivering rescue breaths, which provide oxygen to a non-breathing or inadequately breathing individual.

• Choking Management: BLS courses include techniques to help individuals who are choking and cannot breathe effectively. This includes abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) for conscious choking victims and CPR with chest compressions for unconscious choking victims.

Overall, a BLS class is a good choice if you just want to meet an employer’s requirement or brush up on your knowledge of first aid. The AHA’s BLS Course is designed for healthcare professionals and other personnel who need to know how to perform CPR and other basic cardiovascular life support skills in a wide variety of in-facility and prehospital settings. As for prerequisites to take a BLS course, most courses do not require specific educational or training backgrounds. BLS is designed to be accessible to a wide range of individuals, including healthcare providers and non-healthcare professionals. Participants typically need to be physically able to perform the required technique of chest compressions.

ACLS: Advanced Cardiac Life Support

This advanced class teaches the same life support techniques as the BLS, but in more detail and with many more first aid procedures added into the curriculum. As a prerequisite to taking an ACLS course, students are not required by the AHA to have a current BLS Provider card, but they are expected to be proficient in BLS skills. The techniques taught in ACLS focus on a systematic approach to the assessment and management of cardiac arrest and related conditions. Some of the key techniques include:

• Advanced Airway Management: Participants learn various advanced airway techniques, such as endotracheal intubation and the use of supraglottic airway devices, to ensure proper ventilation and oxygenation during cardiac arrest and respiratory distress.

• Recognition and Treatment of Cardiac Arrhythmias: ACLS emphasizes the recognition and appropriate treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, including ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, pulseless electrical activity (PEA), and asystole. Participants are taught to interpret electrocardiograms (ECGs) to identify these arrhythmias accurately.

• Defibrillation and Cardioversion: Participants learn how to operate manual defibrillators to deliver synchronized cardioversion for certain arrhythmias and unsynchronized defibrillation for pulseless rhythms.

• Administration of Medications: ACLS covers the use of various emergency medications used during cardiac emergencies, such as epinephrine, vasopressin, amiodarone, and atropine.

• Post-Cardiac Arrest Care: The course emphasizes the importance of providing immediate post-cardiac arrest care, including targeted temperature management (therapeutic hypothermia) and optimization of hemodynamics.

• Team Dynamics and Communication: Effective teamwork and communication are critical during resuscitation efforts. ACLS training includes scenarios where participants practice these skills in a simulated team setting.

The ACLS course is geared towards healthcare professionals who either direct or participate in the management of cardiopulmonary arrest or other cardiovascular emergencies or personnel in emergency response. 

PALS: Pediatric Advanced Life Support

While the ACLS course teaches emergency management of adults experiencing a cardiac event, the PALS course specifically teaches emergency management of children and infants experiencing a cardiac event, respiratory failure, or shock. PALS was developed by the AHA and the American Academy of Pediatrics in 1988 as a specialty certification that specifically teaches medical professionals life-saving care to infants and children. The PALS Provider Course teaches how to properly assess pediatric patients with respiratory emergencies, shock, and cardiopulmonary arrest, provide advanced interventions, and utilizing scenarios while applying critical thinking skills. Techniques taught in a PALS course include:  

• Pediatric Assessment: How to perform a systematic evaluation of a pediatric patient, including recognizing and managing respiratory distress, respiratory failure, shock, and cardiac arrest.

• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Pediatrics: Perform high-quality CPR techniques specific to infants and children, including chest compressions, ventilation, and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs).

• Pediatric Pharmacology: Appropriate medication dosages and administration routes for pediatric patients, including emergency medications for respiratory distress, shock, and cardiac arrest.

• Respiratory Emergencies: Identification and early management of various respiratory conditions, such as asthma, croup, and foreign body airway obstruction.

• Cardiovascular Emergencies: Recognition and treatment of pediatric arrhythmias, bradycardia, tachycardia, and other cardiac conditions.

• Vascular Access: Techniques for obtaining intravenous (IV) access and intraosseous (I.O.) access in pediatric patients.

• Effective Resuscitation Team Dynamics: The importance of effective communication and teamwork during pediatric emergencies.

• Post-Cardiac Arrest Care: Management of pediatric patients following successful resuscitation from cardiac arrest, including therapeutic hypothermia when indicated.

• Pediatric Megacode Scenarios: Practice in simulated pediatric emergency scenarios to apply learned skills and knowledge in a controlled setting.

• PALS Algorithms: Learning and understanding the step-by-step algorithms provided by the AHA for managing pediatric life-threatening emergencies.

BLS, ACLS and PALS Training at ACLS Academy

ACLS Academy is an authorized American Heart Association (AHA) Aligned Training Center with three convenient locations in Massachusetts – Quincy, Bridgewater, and Newton Center. BLS, ACLS and PALS courses can be taken fully in person or in a blended learning format, which includes an online portion and a hands-on skills session. The online portion provides the flexibility of completing training at your own pace, either at work, home, or wherever you have Internet access. The hands-on portion includes a skills practice and testing session conducted in person with an AHA Instructor. Our instructors are medical professionals or highly trained individuals who will coach you through each step of the life-saving process. Upon completing any of the courses, you will receive a course completion card valid for two years. 

What's Good for the Heart is Good for the Brain

It makes common sense that what is good for the Heart is also good for the brain. Now we’ve got more empirical data to back it up. A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association suggests higher cardiovascular risk scores are linked to lower cognitive function. The new research proposed the risk calculator used to predict cardiovascular disease also may help predict a person's poor cognitive function.

The study found the higher a person's 10-year cardiovascular risk score, also known as the Framingham 10-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) score, the worse they scored on tests for cognitive function. The study’s findings contribute to the mounting evidence suggesting that controlling heart-health risk factors may help protect brain health. The study’s results specifically suggest every 5% increment in the cardiovascular disease risk score may be related to poorer cognitive functioning.

While previous studies have shown an association between higher cardiovascular risk scores and poorer cognitive function in people with preexisting health conditions, the new study examined this link in a larger sample of the general population and differences among racial and ethnic subgroups.

The Importance of Cardiovascular Disease Score

Healthcare professionals use either the ASCVD risk score from the American College of Cardiology or the Framingham 10-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk score to estimate an individual's risk of developing a cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack or stroke, within the next ten years. The Framingham Risk Score is based on data from the Framingham Heart Study, a long-term study that began in 1948 and involved participants from Framingham, Massachusetts.

The Framingham Risk Score considers several risk factors identified as significant predictors of cardiovascular disease. These risk factors include age, gender, total cholesterol level, HDL cholesterol (often called "good" cholesterol), blood pressure, smoking status, and diabetes. By assessing these factors, the risk score estimates the probability that an individual will experience a cardiovascular event within the next decade.

The importance of the Framingham 10-year CVD risk score lies in its ability to help healthcare professionals identify individuals at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. By identifying high-risk individuals, healthcare providers can implement preventive measures and interventions to reduce the risk of future cardiovascular events. These interventions may include lifestyle modifications (such as adopting a healthy diet, increasing physical activity, and quitting smoking) and, in some cases, using medication to manage risk factors like high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

Healthy Heart = Greater Cognitive Function?

What are the connections between a healthy heart and cognitive function?

• Blood flow and oxygen delivery: The brain requires constant oxygen and nutrients to function optimally. The Heart pumps oxygenated blood to the brain through a network of blood vessels. Any disruptions in blood flow, such as those caused by cardiovascular diseases, can lead to reduced oxygen delivery to the brain, potentially impacting cognitive function.

  Hypertension and cognitive decline: Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Research suggests untreated or poorly controlled hypertension can contribute to cognitive decline and an increased risk of vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Chronic high blood pressure can damage blood vessels in the brain, impairing cognitive function over time.

• Atherosclerosis and stroke: Atherosclerosis is the buildup of plaque in the arteries, narrowing the blood vessels and reducing blood flow. It can lead to a stroke when it affects the blood vessels supplying the brain. A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is disrupted, resulting in brain damage. Strokes can cause immediate cognitive impairments and may increase the risk of long-term cognitive decline.

• Inflammation and cognitive function: Chronic inflammation, often associated with cardiovascular diseases, has been linked to cognitive decline and an increased risk of developing conditions such as Alzheimer's. Inflammatory processes can damage brain cells and disrupt neuron communication, affecting cognitive function.

• Risk factors in common: Several risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol levels, have also been associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disorders. Managing these risk factors through a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a balanced diet, and maintaining a healthy weight, can benefit both heart health and cognitive function.

It's important to note that while these connections exist, they do not guarantee a cause-and-effect relationship. Many other factors, including genetics and lifestyle choices, can influence heart health and cognitive function. However, the findings may suggest that reducing cardiovascular risk factors could be a strategy for preventing cognitive decline. While some of the risk factors in the Framingham calculator can't be changed, many can be. Following the AHA’s 8 Healthy Behaviors, such as eating better, being more active, quitting tobacco, getting healthy sleep, managing weight, managing blood sugar, and managing blood pressure, are part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Certifications Empower Nurses

To be or not to be… certified. Many nurses ask themselves that question. Seeking nursing certification can be a great way to advance your career, specialize in a field of particular interest to you, and set yourself apart from the competition. 

Like professionals in any other field, the best nurses continuously strive to learn and grow professionally. The American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS) found in 2020 that at least 1,013,362 RNs hold one or more nursing specialty credentials, constituting approximately one-third of all R.N.s employed that year. 

Why Get a Nursing Certification?

There are many advantages to getting one – or more – nursing certifications. With certification comes the validation of one’s skills, knowledge, and abilities. Nurses benefit themselves, their patients, and work facilities by obtaining a nursing certification.

• Certified nurses feel more empowered, believe they offer patients better care and collaborate more effectively with others. Nurses also have perceived intrinsic value in obtaining certification in a specialty practice area. The certification process attempts to demonstrate that the nurse has exceeded the minimal standards and is highly competent in the subject area.

• Nurses also benefit financially from specialization. According to the BLS, R.N.s earn, on average, $77,600 annually, whereas APRNs earn $123,780 annually.

• Most Americans choose hospitals that employ many nurses with certifications when given the choice. 

• Some states and/or employers will require specific certifications for licensing or employment.  

The benefits for nurses and patients imply benefits for healthcare facilities, which strive to retain nurses, attract clients, and offer better services. 

When a Certification May Be Mandatory

While obtaining state licensure is mandatory for nursing practice, certain certifications are voluntary. For certain specialties, especially Advanced Practice Nursing roles, a certification might be closer to a requirement than a suggestion. Even for R.N.s, there may be at least one or two strongly recommended certifications, like the BLS or ACLS. Generally, the medical institution hiring you will inform you what type of certifications – if any – are mandatory for them. 

There is also a difference between board-certified nurses and nursing specialty certifications. Board certification essentially means that certification is required to be granted licensure. Such is the case of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses. A state-level board of experts reviews an R.N.’s credentials and qualifications and decides whether or not they are eligible for an APRN license. 

Do all Nursing Certifications Require Experience?

Although many specializations may require an advanced degree or a minimum of clinical experience hours, there are also many certifications that newly graduated nurses can obtain. 

Some basic certifications that all nurses should consider pursuing include the following:

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) 

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) is another valuable certification for new nurses; the only prerequisite is a Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. ACLS builds on basic life support skills by teaching nurses to recognize and act in cases of cardiopulmonary arrest or other cardiovascular emergencies. ACLS Academy course teaches the importance of high-performance team dynamics and communication, systems of care, recognition, and intervention of cardiopulmonary arrest, immediate post-cardiac arrest, acute dysrhythmia, stroke, and acute coronary syndromes (ACS).  The course focuses on the materials review, core competency, and hands-on demonstration and specifically covers: 

• Define systems of care. 

• Role of the rapid response team (RRT) or medical emergency team (MET) to improve patient outcomes.

• Recognize and manage Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS), stroke, respiratory arrest, and cardiac arrest.

• Recognize bradycardia and tachycardias that may result in cardiac arrest.

• Perform early management of cardiac arrest until termination of resuscitation or transfer of care. 

• Evaluate resuscitative efforts.

• Certification is valid for two years

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) 

A PALS certification is excellent for any nurse interested in working in pediatrics. It also builds on the BLS skills that new nurses can otherwise obtain. Nurses with this certification are prepared to recognize and intervene in cases of emergencies with infants and children.  ACLS Academy PALS course covers the following: 

• Perform CPR on pediatric patients. 

• Recognize cardiopulmonary arrest and begin CPR within 10 seconds. 

• Differentiate between respiratory distress and failure and unstable and stable patients with arrhythmias.

• Perform early interventions for respiratory distress and failure and the treatment of shock.

• Implement post-cardiac arrest management. 

Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)

Nurses interested in working in labor and delivery must obtain an NRP certification. In this program, nurses learn how to perform CPR on infants and how to help newborns breathe after birth. The Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) is an educational program jointly sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Heart Association (AHA). The course has been designed to teach an evidence-based approach to newborn resuscitation to hospital staff who care for newborns during delivery, including physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists. Techniques taught in the course include:

• providing neonatal CPR

• drawing blood gasses

• providing positive pressure ventilation

• assisting with endotracheal tube insertion

• dosing neonatal medications

Since the inception of the NRP in 1987, over 3 million individuals in the United States and countless individuals abroad have been trained in NRP. 

The NRP credentialing process is a two-step process. First is the completion of the online program and testing. Secondly, an in-person skills session at an ALCS Academy classroom includes focused learning and evaluation stations.  NRP Provider cards are valid for two years.

Specialized nursing certifications can provide a competitive edge, expand your career options, increase earning potential, and contribute to professional growth and development. They also demonstrate your commitment to excellence and position you as an expert in your chosen area of nursing practice.

Why ALCS Academy?

ACLS Academy instructors have real-life experience in the skills and course material they teach. Our motto, “By Providers, For Providers,” is more than words.  We have assembled a network of instructors as passionate about educating others as they perform their full-time medical professional roles. Learn more about our instructors and their credentials, then decide to further your career and skills with a certification with an ALCS Academy course. We’ve got you covered. 

Shake Your Groove Thing or Whatever Gets You Moving

It’s the dog days of summer. This summer feels particularly hot and sultry, so you may not be motivated to exercise regularly. You don’t have to entirely skip the couch and the streaming binge-a-thon calling your name; just be sure to fit in some time to move – your Heart will thank you. Pay tribute to your Heart and move, as studies have proven sedentary behavior and physical inactivity are significant independent risk factors for heart disease, and heart disease is a killer.

We highlight it loudly and often, cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in the U.S. and globally. According to the AHA’s 2022 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update, approximately 121.5 million people in the U.S. have high blood pressure, 100 million have obesity, more than 28 million people have Type 2 diabetes, and only 1 in 4 adults reported achieving the physical activity and exercise recommended in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition. Various research studies over the past two decades indicate more than 80% of all cardiovascular events may be prevented by a healthy lifestyle and management of known cardiovascular risk factors. Incorporating more movement into your daily activities, with a heavy emphasis on activity, is a huge first step.

Just Don’t Sit Around

Sedentary behavior is a known risk factor for heart disease, and a review article published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine has shown that sitting is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Sedentary behavior is a distinct concept from physical inactivity. It is defined as “any waking behavior characterized by an energy expenditure ≤1.5 metabolic equivalents [of task] (METs), while in a sitting, reclining or lying posture. Sedentary activities include our favorites, such as watching T.V., listening to music, reading and writing, knitting and sewing, playing video or computer games, and riding in a car.

Sedentary behavior has been identified as an independent risk factor for heart disease due to several reasons:

• Reduced Physical Activity: When we engage in sedentary behavior, we tend to be inactive and spend minimal energy. Regular physical activity is crucial for maintaining cardiovascular health. Sitting for long periods reduces overall physical activity, negatively impacting heart health.

• Decreased Blood Flow and Muscle Activity: Sitting for extended periods can reduce blood flow and muscle activity. Muscles play a significant role in glucose and lipid metabolism. When muscles are inactive, they utilize less glucose and fatty acids, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels and triglycerides. This increase in blood glucose and lipids can contribute to the development of cardiovascular risk factors such as insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and dyslipidemia.

• Impaired Blood Vessel Function: Prolonged sitting can impair the function of the endothelium, which is the inner lining of blood vessels. When sitting, blood flow becomes slower and less forceful, which can affect the ability of blood vessels to dilate and constrict properly. Impaired endothelial function is associated with the development of atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in the arteries, which can lead to heart disease.

• Increased Inflammation: Sedentary behavior is linked to chronic low-grade inflammation in the body. This inflammation can contribute to the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Inflammatory processes within the blood vessels can damage the arterial walls and promote the formation of plaques, increasing the risk of heart disease.

• Weight Gain and Obesity: Sedentary behavior is often associated with weight gain and obesity. Excess body weight and obesity are significant risk factors for heart disease, as they contribute to other cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and insulin resistance.

Sedentary Behavior vs. Physical Inactivity

Sedentary behavior and physical inactivity are related but distinct concepts:

• Sedentary Behavior: Sedentary behavior refers to activities involving sitting or reclining with low energy expenditure. As mentioned, it includes activities such as sitting at a desk, watching television, using a computer, or driving a car. Sedentary behavior is characterized by prolonged periods of sitting or minimal movement.

• Physical Inactivity: Conversely, physical inactivity refers to not engaging in moderate to vigorous physical activity. It refers to a lack of exercise or inadequate participation in activities that raise the heart rate and require increased energy expenditure. Physical inactivity encompasses a broader range of behaviors beyond just sitting; adults are classified as inactive if they did not report any sessions of light to moderate or vigorous leisure-time physical activity of at least 10 minutes a day. Physical inactivity has also been defined as expending less than 1.5 kcal or 1500 calories daily in leisure physical activities, equivalent to walking a little over 1.3 miles or approximately 3000 steps.

In simpler terms, sedentary behavior focuses explicitly on the time spent sitting or reclining. At the same time, physical inactivity is a broader concept that encompasses a lack of participation in any form of physical activity, regardless of whether it involves sitting or not.

While it’s interesting to understand the distinctions between the terms, both sedentary behavior and physical inactivity are associated with negative health outcomes, and it is important to reduce sedentary behavior and increase physical activity levels to promote overall health and well-being.

Heart Risk:  Physical inactivity > Smoking

So on the spectrum of sedentary behavior being the worst and being physically inactive only ranking slightly better, being physically inactive at the lowest level puts you at higher risk than smoking.  What?!? We all know that a sedentary lifestyle or being unfit has some risks, but a study by the Cleveland Clinic showed it was worse than the risk factors of smoking, hypertension, or diabetes, which one would normally categorize as stronger than physical inactivity. What made this Cleveland Clinic study so unique was that researchers weren’t relying on patient’s self-reporting their exercise, rather participants were tested on a treadmill to objectively figure out the real measure of what they can do and their actual fitness level. Now we know, you live longer! It’s all about getting up and really moving. 

Get the Kids Moving Too

Think it’s just the adults who are subscribing to an inactive lifestyle? Think again. According to the AHA’s 2022 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics, the prevalence of high school students who engaged in ≥60 minutes of physical activity on at least 5 days of the week was 44.1% and was lower with each successive grade (from 9th [49.1%]–12th [40.0%] grades). Beyond identifying increased physical activity has been associated with an increased life expectancy and decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, it has been proven that physical activity also produces overall physical, psychological and social benefits. Inactive children are likely to become inactive adults. Not only does an active child reduce the risk of developing heart disease, studies show children also do better academically if they get enough physical activity. Seize the moment and initiate some of your favorite childhood games like playing catch, organizing a game of tag or capture the flag, jumping rope or on rainy days, stream a workout like kickboxing, yoga or dance to your kid’s favorite tunes.

Moving and the Overall Health Long Game

An umbrella review of 24 systematic reviews of adults ≥60 years of age concluded that those who are physically active are at a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease mortality (25%–40% risk reduction), all-cause mortality (22%–35%), breast cancer (12%–17%), prostate cancer (9%–10%), and depression (17%–31%) while experiencing better quality of life, healthier aging trajectories, and improved cognitive functioning. Set a physical activity target of at least 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of heart-pumping physical activity per week, and embark upon a lifelong journey to heart health.

Learning from the Experts: Student Accolades for our Instructors (Copy)

It’s time to take your medical continuing education recertification, and you’re looking for a learning facility to hone your skills and understand the practical application of the material to your daily responsibilities. Look no further than ACLS Academy, where our instructors have real-life experience in the skills and course material they teach. Don’t take it from us, rather hear what our former students are saying:

“Chad was awesome and provided a lot of real world experience to contextualize the content” – Cian K

“Very satisfied by my experience. The skills session was led (sic) by a person with extensive real world ICU experience, who gave excellent practical tips that enhanced the various protocols. I feel confident in my ability to apply these skills after this session and will definitely use them for future recertification.” – Jeremy S.

“I recently got my recertification from ACLS and my experience was not only amazing but I left feeling confident in what I was trained to do. Jessica is one of the instructors there and she is not only very nice and easy to work with but very knowledgeable and experienced. I would highly recommend anyone to go to any one of their locations if you really want to learn how to help people'' – Thrashachusetts7318

“Very great class, very professional staff instructor. Course allowed for me to feel more confident, and instructor did great job on teaching. I do recommend for sure.” – Chanel A.

“Chad and Peggy!!! Wow, these people are just wonderful, kind and they try their best to help. I will come back to renew my license with them in the next two years wherever I'm. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!” – Abbas M.

“I loved my past two sessions for ACLS. The instructor Peggy is excellent! She is very experienced with her clinical and teaching background. She was thorough and added nice life experiences. I feel so much better about ACLS! Also, I have taken classes at their old location, and the new facility is beautiful.” – Jennifer C.

“I just wanted to reach out regarding the PALS class I took recently; going into the class, I was intimidated and nervous, but the instructor, Shelley, was so kind, informative, and approachable. She made the information accessible through personal anecdotes and tailored the codes to our real-life backgrounds. Shelley treated each student respectfully and listened to their personal experiences, and the open forum discussion led to excellent communication and teamwork! She's a great asset! This was my first time taking a course through this academy, but I will happily take more and recommend it to others!”

Practical Working Experience: There is No Substitute

When real lives depend upon your recertification training, instructors with real-life expertise who experience these situations daily are critical. We are thrilled to consistently hear praise from our student clients about our stellar instructor staff who leverage their on-the-job experience and transfer real-life knowledge during the class to the students. Obtaining your certification from an experienced instructor is essential for several reasons:

1. Accurate and Up-to-Date Information: Medical knowledge and techniques are constantly evolving. By learning from accredited, experienced practitioners, you can ensure that you receive accurate and up-to-date information on life-saving procedures. These instructors deeply understand the latest advancements and guidelines in medical practice, ensuring you receive the most current and evidence-based training.

2. Practical Skills and Experience: Professional medical practitioners bring real-world experience to their teaching. They have often encountered various medical emergencies firsthand and can provide valuable insights, practical tips, and case examples. Their expertise allows them to offer practical guidance on handling different scenarios, which can significantly enhance your ability to respond effectively in a crisis.

3. Feedback and Guidance: Professionals in the medical industry can provide personalized feedback and guidance during the certification process. They can observe your techniques, correct errors, and offer valuable suggestions for improvement. This hands-on approach ensures you develop the necessary skills to perform life-saving procedures correctly and confidently.

4. Networking Opportunities: Training courses led by professional medical practitioners or highly trained individuals often provide opportunities to connect with other healthcare professionals. These interactions can lead to networking opportunities, enabling you to establish valuable connections within the medical field. Building a professional network can benefit career growth, mentorship, and stay updated with the latest developments in the medical community.

By Providers, For Providers

ACLS Academy’s motto, “By Providers, For Providers,” is more than words. We have assembled a network of instructors who are passionate about educating others.

Here’s a sampling of our staff’s expertise and credentials:

Masters in Nursing (MSN) – 14 staff

Registered Nurse (RN) – 23 staff

Bachelor of Science Nursing (BSN) – 23 staff

Paramedics – 1 staff

Critical Care Nurse (CCRN) – 2 staff

PhD – 1 staff

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) – 3 staff

Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) – 1 staff

Doctor (MD) – 1 staff

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) – 14 staff

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – 3 staff

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) – 1 staff

Board Certified R.N. (RN-BC) – 1 staff

Maternal Newborn Nurse (C-MNN) – 1 staff

Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN) – 1 staff

Masters of Science Anesthesia– 1 staff

Travel ICU Nurse – 1 staff

US Navy Intern – 1 staff

Trauma Chairperson, Massachusetts Emergency Nurses Association – 1 staff

U.S. Coast Guard – 1 staff

Our students constantly repeat words about our instructors: Professional, Friendly, Knowledgeable, and Fun. When it’s time for your next recertification, take a course with ACLS Academy for a positive training experience leveraging our limitless pool of expertise. Learn more about our course offerings here!

ACLS Academy has added a new class – AWHONN’s Intermediate Fetal Heart Monitoring Class

At ALCS Academy, we are always looking to meet the training & certification needs of our local medical professional community. We are happy to announce in 2023, we will be conducting 2 Intermediate Fetal Heart Monitoring classes on Saturday, July 29, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Saturday, Nov 18th, 8 AM-4 PM. Courses will be held at our Bridgewater location and instructed by Kristine DiCarlo, DNP, RN, BC-NPD, C-MNN. This Intermediate class is part of the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) Fetal Heart Monitoring program encompassing Introductory, Intermediate, and Advanced Fetal Heart Monitoring courses.  

The Intermediate Fetal Heart Monitoring course addresses the principles of fetal heart monitoring. It includes lectures, hands-on skill stations including performing Leopold maneuvers, placement of an intrauterine pressure catheter and fetal spiral electrode, interpretation of fetal monitoring tracings using a case-based approach, identification of physiologically based clinical interventions, and communication and risk management principles.  Online prerequisite education is required before attending the one-day course. The online knowledge validation test is necessary to receive the course's nursing contact hours/CME. This course can be used to support preparation for certification examinations. 

As the recognized leader in fetal heart monitoring education, AWHONN's in-person and online formats are convenient, evidence-based, and essential tools for educating the entire team. 97% of students who participated in AWHONN's Fetal Heart Monitoring Program stated it would improve their ability to care for patients.

Format: Online prerequisite education, followed by a one-day, Instructor-led course

Nursing contact hours: 11.25

Prerequisites:  This course is designed for perinatal nurses who previously completed a basic fetal monitoring course and clinical training in the labor and delivery setting.

Preparing for Your In-Person Course

REQUIRED RESOURCE: AWHONN Intermediate Course Student Pack from Kendall Hunt ISBN printed book 979-8765725-702 or the digital version of the required material. The online pre-course work takes about 3.5 hours to complete. This work MUST be completed 2 days before the course to attend the in-person component. 

The required online prerequisite learning content includes the following: 

• Assessment

• Interpretation

• Techniques in electronic fetal monitoring 

• Videos on FSE, IUPC, Leopold Maneuvers, and Intermittent Auscultation 

• A brief post‐test 

​Recommended reference for all AWHONN courses: 

The textbook Fetal Heart Monitoring Principles & Practices 6th Ed, is the primary reference for course preparation, and you are required to have access to a textbook. The book is a valuable resource even after the program and includes information about the following: 

• Physiologic basis for fetal and uterine monitoring

• Interpretation of fetal heart and uterine patterns

• Physiologic interventions for fetal tracing characteristics and patterns

• Assessment of fetal oxygenation and acid-base status

• Antenatal testing methods

• Clinical communication and documentation

Learning outcomes of the online and instructed course:

• Interpret FHM using NICHD terminology within the safety culture framework of interdisciplinary teamwork.  

• Describe clinical interventions and the related maternal-fetal physiology to optimize fetal oxygenation 

• Demonstrate collaborative communication in the perinatal setting 

• Demonstrate common perinatal procedures related to fetal monitoring 

Register for the ACLS Academy AWHONN's Intermediate Fetal Heart Monitoring Class here.

• Saturday, July 29, 2023 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PMBridgewater *New Location* Moved from E. Bridgewater

• Saturday, November 18, 2023 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PMBridgewater *New Location* Moved from E. Bridgewater

The Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses is accredited with distinction as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

Accredited status does not imply endorsement by AWHONN or ANCC of any commercial products
discussed/displayed in conjunction with the educational activity.

AWHONN is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #CEP580.
AWHONN is the provider of this course, and AffinityCE is the joint provider.

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the American Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Affinity CE and the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN). AffinityCE is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. AffinityCE designates this live activity for a maximum of 11.25 hours of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

American Heart Association’s Go For Red Women’s Initiative

Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths yearly. However, the simple truth is that most cardiovascular diseases can still be prevented with education and healthy lifestyle changes.

The American Heart Association's signature women's initiative, Go Red for Women, is a comprehensive platform designed to increase women's heart health awareness and catalyzes change to improve women's lives globally. Go Red for Women's goal is to encourage awareness of the issue of women and heart disease and action to save more lives. The movement harnesses the energy, passion, and power women have to band together and collectively wipe out heart disease. It challenges them to know their risk for heart disease and take action to reduce their risk. It also gives them the tools they need to lead a heart-healthy life.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women for several reasons:

• Underestimation of Risk: A common misconception is that heart disease primarily affects men. This misconception leads to underestimating risk among women, resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment. Women may not recognize the signs and symptoms of heart disease or may attribute them to other causes, which can lead to missed opportunities for early intervention.

• Biological Factors: Hormonal changes during menopause can impact women's cardiovascular health. Estrogen is believed to have a protective effect on the heart. After menopause, women experience a decline in estrogen levels, which may contribute to an increased risk of heart disease. Additionally, certain pregnancy complications, such as gestational diabetes or preeclampsia, can increase the risk of cardiovascular problems later in life.

• Unique Risk Factors: Some risk factors for heart disease have a greater impact on women. For example, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are significant risk factors for both men and women, but their effects on women's cardiovascular health can be more pronounced. Additionally, conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and autoimmune diseases like lupus can increase women's risk of heart disease.

• Lifestyle Factors: Unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as poor diet, physical inactivity, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption, contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease. These factors can affect both men and women. Still, women may face additional challenges due to societal expectations, caregiving responsibilities, and work-life balance, making it harder to prioritize their health.

• Treatment Disparities: There may be disparities in women's diagnosis and treatment of heart disease. Historically, cardiovascular research has focused predominantly on men, leading to potential gaps in understanding gender-specific risk factors and treatment approaches. These disparities can result in delayed diagnosis, inadequate treatment, or suboptimal management of heart disease in women.

The Red Dress

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) created The Heart Truth® in 2002. It was the first federally-sponsored national health education program designed to raise awareness about heart disease as the leading cause of death in women. Initially, the program focused on women ages 40‒60, emphasizing reaching women of color. In 2003, The Heart Truth introduced the Red Dress® as the national symbol for women and heart disease to bring greater visibility to risk factors and educate and motivate women to take action to protect their hearts.  When in 2003, NHLBI, the AHA, and other organizations committed to women's health joined together to raise awareness of women and heart disease, the AHA adopted this symbol to create synergy among all organizations committed to fighting this cause.

By working together to advance this important cause, the AHA, NHLBI, and other women's health groups have had a greater impact than any one group could have alone.

Events, Resources, and More

The AHA's Go Red for Women campaign was started in 2004 and used various initiatives and events to spread its message and get women involved.  

• Real Women Class of Survivors – This is an annual casting call for Real Women ambassadors representing heart disease and stroke survivors. The Real Women Class of Survivors aims to put a relatable face on heart disease and stroke. These everyday women, like you, are national volunteers selected to represent a diverse sisterhood of survivors who actively, urgently, and passionately champion the Go Red for Women movement. Representing various ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds, the annual class shares its powerful stories to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease and empower other women to take action to improve their physical and mental well-being.

• Research – Become part of the solution as a women participant in surveys and studies or as a Researcher Utilizing "Research Goes Red" to Access Data and Conduct Research

• Getting Involved - Plentiful opportunities exist through avenues such as Volunteering through participation or hosting a walk for research, a fundraising or educational event, Becoming a Lifesaver by learning hands-on CPR, Advocating for Change through the advancement of legislative and regulatory policies, Support Heart Patients & Caregivers by sharing your personal story via blog posts, or Donating and supporting the cause.

• Local Community Events – Local community events include: Go Red for Women Luncheons, STEM Goes Red to bring interesting careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to life for young women, and Woman of Impact and Teen of Impact, an inclusive initiative to drive awareness and raise funds for women's heart health in local communities.

The Go Red for Women campaign also provides resources, such as educational materials, online tools, and support networks, to help women make positive changes in their lives and reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke.

Educational Impact

Funds donated to Go Red for Women have impacted women across the nation. The AHA uses all revenues from local and National Go Red for Women activities to support awareness, research, education, and community programs to benefit women. The effort has been impactful:

• More than 2 million women have learned their risk of developing heart disease by taking the Go Red Heart CheckUp

• More than 200,000 healthcare provider offices have received critical patient information on women and heart disease

• More than 900,000 women have joined the fight. Women who join Go Red for Women receive important information that allows them to take action to improve their health:

• Women involved in Go Red for Women eat a healthy diet.

• Go Red Women are more likely to follow doctors' advice – from losing weight to taking medications.

• 91% of women involved in Go Red for Women visited their doctor in the last 12 months (compared to 73% of all U.S. women).

• 64% follow a regular exercise routine.

• 84% have talked to friends about their heart health.

• 90% have had their blood pressure checked in the last year.

• 75% have had their cholesterol checked in the last year.

It's more than just wearing red on the first Friday of February for National Wear Red Day; it's more than just sharing heart health facts. It's about all women committing to stand together with Go Red and taking charge of their heart health and the health of those they can't bear to live without. Committing to your health isn't something you must do alone, so grab a friend or a family member and Go Red today.

Love Jeopardy? Get the American Heart Association ACLS Booster App to keep your knowledge sharp!

Alex, I'll take CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Facts for $500.  

Q:  An American Heart Association quiz-based app with gaming packs on CPR Basics, PALS, ACLS, BLS, and Stroke awareness.

A:  What is the AHA Knowledge Booster

If you have found that quizzes and playing games are your preferred and most enjoyable methods of reinforcing your knowledge, the American Heart Association has an App for you!  The AHA Knowledge Booster was created to reinforce critical CPR and emergency cardiovascular care information. Users can choose the topics appropriate for their level of knowledge – including BLS, ACLS, PALS, and First Aid and CPR Basics. The quiz-based application will feature questions from various topics depending on your chosen disciplines, such as patient scenarios, CPR and defibrillation, rhythm identification, pharmacology, and other topics to test your knowledge.

What does the App include?

• Library – Displays all learning topics to which you've subscribed. It also includes topic completion stats, resources, and associated quizzes for that topic.

• Discussion Forum – Promotes social learning, including the ability to post questions and exchange shared knowledge with other learners

• Play – Here's the fun part where free and purchased quizzes and the leaderboard are accessed.  Each quiz has an assigned difficulty level and anticipated time to complete. Each question in the quiz is trivia styled with multiple choices or true/false answers. Upon answering a question, a factoid will sometimes pop up with more information about that question. The Booster learns how well you are mastering a topic and may reinforce your knowledge w/ another quiz pushed to you, so critical knowledge is always top of mind.

• Profile – Displays stats, learner badges, history, and leaderboard.

• Notifications

The adaptive learning algorithm analyzes a user's interaction with various topics, and
Dynamically builds a proficiency map on what a user does and does not know. This proficiency map generates personalized quizzes to help them build mastery. This whole process is 100% automated based on the neuroscience-based retrieval practice technique. The more you engage with the app, the more tailored the quizzes will be!

Is the App free?

Users can access a free version of the app, buy individual packs, or purchase an All-Access bundle:

• First Aid Basics: Free

• CPR Basics Free

• BLS: $1.99

• ACLS: $2.99

• PALS: $2.99

• All-Access Bundle: $3.99

Users can access the Knowledge Booster App online or through the mobile app.

Does the AHA Knowledge Booster app replace an AHA course?

Using the AHA Knowledge Booster App does not replace an AHA course provided by an AHA Aligned Training Site or Center. It is not integrated with your course completion card but is a refresher activity to enhance your AHA education retention over time.

This app is intended for healthcare professionals who have recently completed their AHA Provider Courses to help retain important concepts from the course.

Providers can also use the app to keep knowledge current when they are between renewals or to use it as a refresher when preparing for a renewal course.

Alternatively, the free version of this app is a great retention tool for lay people who want to keep their CPR and First Aid knowledge fresh in case of an emergency.

Want or Need to Take an AHA Life Saving Course?

ACLS Academy is an authorized American Heart Association (AHA) Aligned Training Center. We have three convenient locations in Massachusetts – Quincy, Bridgewater, and Newton Center with some of our classes including an online component to minimize in-class time. We offer the following courses at ACLS Academy with the option to complete the coursework in a blended format or an instructor-led classroom format:

• Heartsaver CPR/AED or CPR/AED/First Aid or Pediatric CPR/AED/First Aid

• Stop the Bleed

• Heartcode BLS

• Heartcode ACLS

• Heartcode PALS

I think we'll all agree that using a digital platform and applying gamified learning improves engagement and helps with knowledge retention for students. Try the AHA Knowledge Booster to keep your knowledge sharp. Access the AHA Knowledge Booster app here for both iPhone and Android.

Saving Lives: 4-Year-Old's & Taylor Swift

The American Heart Association (AHA) recently made two announcements that may have you thinking, "Whaaat?!".  Four-year-olds and Taylor Swift can save lives. You heard it right, so let's bring you up to speed.

• Counting ten or more objects

• Correctly naming at least four colors and three shapes 

• Recognizing some letters and possibly writing their name.

These are the typical knowledge milestones of a 4-year-old, but we can now add another item to the list - identifying a cardiac situation and dialing 911.  

In May 2023, the American Heart Association, the European Resuscitation Council, and the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation published a scientific statement in the journal Circulation that details evidence showing schoolchildren as young as 4 know how to call for help in a medical emergency and that, by age 10 to 12, children can administer effective chest compressions when performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, better known as CPR.

With an incidence of 67 to 170 per 100 000 inhabitants, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a leading cause of death worldwide. The location of Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrests (OHCA) most often occurs in homes/residences (73.4%), followed by public settings (16.3%) and nursing homes (10.3%). Survival rates range between 2% and 20% and are particularly low without an immediate bystander response. 

During cardiac arrest, the heart stops pumping blood to the brain and other vital organs. As a result of a decrease in blood flow to the brain, a victim will fall unconscious. The brain can suffer damage in as few as three minutes without proper blood flow. There can be irreversible damage after nine minutes without blood flow to the brain. CPR helps to keep blood flowing and may help minimize the damage to the victim. 

Various medical groups have long stressed the importance of teaching young children what to do during medical emergencies at home, school, or other settings. An important component of the chain of survival is knowing how to call emergency medical services and what information to provide in the call. Evidence from the published literature shows that teaching children as young as 4 years of age can lead to improved knowledge about how to call for help.

In 2018, the American Academy of Pediatrics released a policy statement advocating for training children, parents, caregivers, school personnel, and the public on basic lifesaving skills and the appropriate use of AEDs. As part of educating children about lifesaving skills, "teach young children how to assess consciousness and normal breathing," the scientific statement says. 

In training schoolchildren, the approach recommended by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation uses a simple algorithm such as CHECK-CALL-COMPRESS. The simplified CHECK assessment includes speaking to the patient, waking them up, and then looking, listening, and feeling for normal breathing. There is evidence that young school children 4 to 15 can correctly reproduce assessments for consciousness and breathing after a demonstration and hands-on practice.

The American Heart Association has played a role in getting more than 40 states to require some type of education about cardiac arrest and CPR as a graduation prerequisite for high school students.  CPR training for younger students can encounter some limitations as it is a physically demanding skill. Age may not be the most important variable; a child's weight or body mass index may be just as important. Compression depths achieved by schoolchildren on manikins after CPR training vary widely and depend on their body size, which can vary by age and sex. Minimum body weights are required to achieve sufficient force for adequate depth of compressions. However, studies suggest that correct hand positioning and compression rates can be delivered by schoolchildren beginning at 10 years of age.

Suggestions for School Children Training

• Teach young children the correct compression depth and rate, although they may not achieve them to guideline standards.

• For school children, focus on the key components of high-quality CPR: minimizing chest compression interruptions, correct chest compression rate and depth, and full chest recoil.

• Provide an opportunity to practice BLS skills during training and retraining.

• Use cognitive aids (e.g., metronomes, music at 100–120 bpm) or real-time feedback devices.

And it's the last bullet that leads us to Taylor Swift.

Taylor Swift's "The Man"

This summer, Taylor Swift is traversing the country with her Eras Tour, the song set which may or may not include her song "The Man." While the song off her 2019 "Lover" album may not be one of her more popular tunes, only peaking at 23 on the US Billboard chart, the American Heart Association is loving "The Man." Why?  Because it has the perfect tempo to perform hands-only CPR, an ideal accompaniment for teaching all those schoolchildren and graduating seniors the lifesaving skill. Coming in at 110 beats per minute, it's the right tempo to keep the CPR compressions at the right speed.

Not a Swiftie?  Other songs from many generations and genres can help you keep true to the 100-120 beats per minute.  Find a favorite from the list below (or do a quick Google search as there are many CPR- friendly playlists out there) and be ready to take action should the unfortunate occasion arise as "every minute counts."

• "Stayin' Alive" - Bee Gees

• "Baby Shark" - Pinkfong

• "Dancing Queen" - ABBA

• "Cecilia" - Simon & Garfunkel

• "Hard To Handle" - The Black Crowes

• "Sweet Home Alabama" - Lynyrd Skynyrd

• "Rock Your Body" - Justin Timberlake

• "I Will Survive" - Gloria Gaynor

• "MMMBop" - Single Version. Hanson

• "Gives You Hell" - The All-American Rejects

• "History of Rap" - Jimmy Fallon, Justin Timberlake

• "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" - Cyndi Lauper

• "Crazy in Love" - Beyonce, Jay Z

• "Just Dance" - Lady Gaga, Colby O'Donis

• "Something Just Like This" - The Chainsmokers, Coldplay

• "Rumour Has It" - Adele

• "Sorry" - Justin Bieber

• "Rock This Town" - Stray Cats

• "Fly" - Sugar Ray

• "Hips Don't Lie" - Shakira

• "Work It" - Missy Elliott

• "What's Going On" - Marvin Gaye

• "Suddenly I See" - KT Tunstall

• "Crazy" - Gnarls Barkley

• "Spirit In the Sky" - Norman Greenbaum

• "Man in the Mirror" - Michael Jackson

• "One Week" - Barenaked Ladies

• "Another Brick in the Wall" - Pink Floyd

Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification: Medical Professionals and Beyond

It makes sense that medical healthcare professionals like doctors, nurses, EMTs, and physician assistants would be required to take Basic Life Support (BLS) training and be certified. However, other professions may be less obvious but benefit from and are sometimes required to complete BLS training and certification, like firefighters, police officers, dental assistants, lifeguards, and beach patrol officers. While many of these professions complete CPR/AED training, a BLS certification will take you to the next level. Check out our blog on the nuances between CPR/AED and BLS courses and certifications.

The American Heart Association's Chain of Survival is a series of critical steps that, when followed in order, maximize the chances of survival for individuals experiencing a cardiac arrest. The four "BLS components" of the Chain of Survival are:

1. Early recognition and activation: The first component involves recognizing the signs of cardiac arrest and promptly activating the emergency response system. It is crucial to identify when someone is experiencing a cardiac emergency and to call for help immediately. This step ensures that the appropriate medical personnel and resources can be mobilized quickly.

2. Early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR): The second component emphasizes the importance of early CPR. CPR combines chest compressions and rescue breaths that help circulate oxygenated blood to vital organs until advanced medical care arrives. Initiating CPR early can maintain blood flow and oxygenation, improving the chances of survival.

3. Early defibrillation: Early defibrillation is the third component of the Chain of Survival. It involves using an automated external defibrillator (AED) to deliver an electrical shock to the heart to restore its normal rhythm. AEDs are portable devices trained individuals can use to analyze a person's heart rhythm and, if necessary, administer a shock to restore a normal heartbeat. Prompt defibrillation is crucial in ventricular fibrillation or certain types of life-threatening arrhythmias.

4. Early advanced care: The final component emphasizes the importance of early advanced care provided by healthcare professionals. Once the emergency response team arrives, they can provide more advanced medical interventions and critical care to the individual. These interventions include administering medications, advanced airway management, and other specialized treatments to stabilize the person's condition and increase the chances of survival.

Here's how these components are covered in a BLS course:

High-Quality CPR for adults, children, and infants 

A BLS course will cover the different CPR techniques used depending on the age of the individual in distress. A different protocol is required when CPR is performed on children and infants. While adults tend to need CPR for cardiac incidents, children and infants need it to respond to respiratory failure or poisoning. Also, because infants' bodies are more fragile than adults, CPR requires you to use your fingers instead of the palm of your hand to do chest compressions.

Also, specific performance metrics are also associated with high-quality CPR instructed in a BLS course: 

• Chest compression fraction >80%

• Compression rate of 100-120/min

• Compression depth of at least 50 mm (2 inches) in adults and at least 1/3 the AP dimension of the chest in infants and children

• No excessive ventilation

Early use of an AED

An AED, or automated external defibrillator, is used to administer an electric shock through the chest wall to the heart. Built-in computers assess the patient's heart rhythm, judge whether defibrillation is needed, and then administer a shock if needed. Audible and/or visual prompts guide the user through the process. When a victim experiences sudden cardiac arrest with a shockable rhythm, every minute counts; every minute a victim goes without defibrillation, the chances for survival decrease by 7%-10%.  

Effective ventilations using a barrier device

A CPR mask, officially known as a barrier device, keeps you, the rescuer, safe while performing ventilations, or rescue breaths, as part of CPR.  A barrier device is one type of personal protective equipment designed to protect rescuers from exposure to infection when in close contact with victims.  BLS training will cover the usage of these barrier devices as part of the performance of high-quality CPR.

Importance of teams in multi-rescuer resuscitation and performance as an effective team member during multi-rescuer CPR

Team dynamics are important when multiple rescuers are trying to save a life. If it improves your chances of saving a life, accept all the help you can get. Resuscitation times are tense, which might lead to emotions getting out of hand. So, it's important to be calm and composed. When many people are in a team, it's important to let them know what to do when needed.  Effective team dynamics with an emphasis on effective communication, including:

Clear Messages

The person assigning a task or communicating (in the case of CPR, the team leader giving an order) must do so clearly and concisely. The message should be distinct and calm, not rushed

Clear Roles and Responsibilities

Before you start a resuscitation, always assign a "clear role" to each team member. As a team member, if you are given a role you are not competent enough, you should let the team lead know and ask for another role. Do not take a new role by yourself.

Closed Loop Communication

In closed-loop communication, the person receiving instruction or information repeats it to ensure the message is understood correctly, and the sender confirms to "close the loop." It does not require more time, and in fact, it is likely to save time.

Know Your Limitations and Ask for Assistance Early

Team members, including the team leader, should ask for assistance or advice before the situation gets out of hand. Knowing your limitations will apply in any team environment. It is vital to know one's limitations and then ask for assistance when needed. The AHA recommends this as an important part of teamwork in CPR. 

Knowledge Sharing

The AHA teaches that – "team leaders should ask for ideas for a differential diagnosis…" and frequently seek observations from team members for possible oversight. Getting contributions from everyone on the team gives you the best chance of coming up with the real problem, so you can treat the cause of the problem and help the patient. We can all learn from someone else's knowledge and experiences.

Relief of foreign-body airway obstruction (choking) for adults and infants

Choking is a common preventable cause of cardiac arrest. The correct response for a choking person depends on the degree of airway obstruction, whether the person is responsive, and age.  For adults, BLS training will teach using abdominal thrusts to attempt to remove the obstruction.  Infants will be instructed to use back blows/ chest thrusts for obstruction removal.

Some Events That May Require BLS

Professions that expose individuals to these situations would greatly benefit from the skills and techniques learned in BLS training.  

Cardiac arrest: This is the most common reason for the need for BLS. It is a sudden loss of heart function, which can occur due to various reasons such as heart attack, drowning, electric shock, etc.

Choking: When a person's airway is obstructed by food, objects, or other materials, it can cause them to choke, and their breathing may stop. BLS can be used to remove the obstruction and restart their breathing.

Suffocation: Suffocation can occur from smoke inhalation, gas leaks, or being trapped in small spaces. BLS can help restart their breathing and sustain their life until professional medical help arrives.

Drowning: When submerged in water, a person cannot breathe, and their heart may stop beating. BLS can be used to help restart their breathing and revive them.

Severe allergic reactions: Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can cause a person's airway to become blocked and their heart to stop beating. BLS can help open their airway and sustain their life until professional medical help arrives.

Drug overdose: When someone takes too much medication or drugs, it can cause them to stop breathing, and their heart may stop beating. BLS can help restart their breathing and sustain their life until professional medical help arrives.

Trauma: When someone experiences a severe injury or trauma, it can cause them to stop breathing or their heart to stop beating. BLS can help restart their breathing and sustain their life until professional medical help arrives.

BLS Training at ACLS Academy

ACLS Academy is an authorized American Heart Association (AHA) Aligned Training Center with three convenient locations in Massachusetts – Quincy, Bridgewater, and Newton Center. Our Basic Life Support (BLS) training is a blended learning course, including an online portion and a hands-on skills session. The online portion provides the flexibility of completing training at your own pace, either at work, home, or wherever you have Internet access. The hands-on portion includes a skills practice and testing session conducted in person with an AHA Instructor. The instructors are medical professionals or highly trained individuals who will coach you through each step of the lifesaving process. The skills session can take approximately 1-2 hours. As with any learning environment, BLS provider classes have the equipment to teach you the basics, from AED training devices to CPR manikins. BLS certification courses require hands-on activity, so prepare to practice chest compressions and breaths. This means you should wear comfortable clothes you can easily move around in.

Sign up here for ACLS Academy's BLS courses, or contact us for questions or additional information.  Upon completing the course, you will receive a course completion card valid for two years.

Commission on Accreditation for Prehospital Continuing Education (CAPCE); Gold-Standard Continuing Education for EMS and the Fire Service

The Commission on Accreditation for Prehospital Continuing Education (CAPCE) is an organization that sets the gold standard for continuing education in emergency medical services (EMS) and the fire service. CAPCE is responsible for accrediting educational programs that provide continuing education for EMS professionals and firefighters.

CAPCE ensures that the educational programs meet certain quality standards and are relevant to the needs of EMS and fire service providers. Accredited programs are evaluated based on their content, instructional design, and the qualifications of the instructors. CAPCE also monitors the programs to ensure they maintain their quality over time.

The Commission on Accreditation for Prehospital Continuing Education (CAPCE) was founded in 1992 under the vision and guidance of Janet Head, then President of the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT). Janet recognized that not all EMS continuing education (CE) was of a level or quality that she would expect for practicing EMS providers. Thus, she sought support from the leadership of other EMS leadership organizations:

• National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT)

• National Association of EMS Educators (NAEMSE)

• National Association of State EMS Directors (NASEMSD)

• National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT)

These organizations created CAPCE to establish standards and ensure the quality of continuing education programs for EMS professionals. 

CAPCE, by its charter, maintains the standards for delivering EMS CE. Those standards include requirements for active medical direction, valid post-tests, quality infrastructure, sound educational design including delivery methodology, marketing, fees, evaluation, student record keeping, and data reporting.

CAPCE accreditation exists so EMS professionals and firefighters can access high-quality, standard-driven continuing education activities and are awarded credit for participating. Over the years, CAPCE has grown in prominence and has become the recognized accrediting body for prehospital continuing education in the United States. CAPCE accreditation is recognized and respected nationwide, making it an important credential for individuals and organizations in the EMS and fire service fields.

CAPCE-accredited programs cover various topics relevant to EMS and fire service, including medical procedures, emergency response protocols, patient assessment, trauma care, disaster management, etc. These programs are designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of professionals in these fields, ensuring they are up to date with the latest advancements and best practices.

CAPCE accredits a variety of cardiac-related life-saving certifications for EMS professionals. Some of the certifications that fall under CAPCE accreditation include the following:

• Basic Life Support (BLS): BLS certification focuses on basic life-saving techniques, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for adults, children, and infants. BLS certification is typically required for healthcare providers, including EMS professionals.

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS): ACLS certification is designed for healthcare professionals involved in managing cardiac emergencies. ACLS covers advanced techniques for cardiac resuscitation, including recognition and treatment of cardiac arrest, rhythm interpretation, and administration of advanced medications.

• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS): PALS certification is geared towards healthcare providers who care for critically ill or injured infants and children. PALS covers pediatric assessment, respiratory and cardiovascular emergency recognition, and appropriate interventions.

• Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS): AMLS certification is focused on providing prehospital professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to assess and manage medical emergencies. This certification emphasizes critical thinking and integrating advanced assessment techniques in medical emergencies, including cardiac conditions.

• Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS): While PHTLS primarily focuses on trauma care, it also covers the management of traumatic cardiac emergencies. PHTLS certification provides EMS professionals with the knowledge and skills to assess and treat traumatic injuries, including those involving the cardiovascular system.

These certifications, among others, fall within the purview of CAPCE accreditation. By completing CAPCE-accredited programs and obtaining these certifications, EMS professionals can demonstrate their competence in providing life-saving care for cardiac-related emergencies.

And while CAPCE is not a provider of EMS CE, its website can be utilized to find CAPCE-accredited educational providers and CAPCE-accredited courses, including online courses, live courses, and Virtual Instructor Led Training Refresher Classes.
ACLS Academy provides accredited training of EMS CE for BLS, ACLS, and PALS.  ACLS Academy offers these courses at three convenient locations in the greater Boston area, Newton Center, Bridgewater, and Quincy.  These EMS CE courses are available in a hybrid learning format where the cognitive portion can be completed online, followed by a hands-on skill session. The convenience of hybrid classes strikes a balance between flexibility and valuable in-person engagement, making them an excellent option for modern learners seeking a comprehensive educational experience.

Caring for our Smallest Emergency Room Patients

Biologically and medically speaking, children are not “little adults.” Therefore, it is essential for physicians and nurses treating children to be knowledgeable and experienced regarding illnesses that are specific to or common in children. When it comes to emergency pediatric patients, this specialty requires not just emergency expertise or pediatric expertise but a combination of the two.

Pediatric emergency nursing is unique because its nurses are exposed to diverse conditions not typically seen in other care areas. The variety of patients and rare conditions encountered makes pediatric emergency nursing a true specialty.  Most emergency room cases are related to trauma and injury, which means nurses must be fast on their feet and act quickly to contain life-threatening situations. Even with illness-bound cases, an ER visit would mean the acceleration of a problem that would again need special training to solve immediate issues on the spot. From sore throats and fevers to major trauma and heart attacks, pediatric emergency nurses are well-trained to handle all situations calmly.

While they are mostly posted in the Emergency Rooms of significant hospitals, more and more pediatric emergency nurses are frequently seen in urgent care centers, ambulances, and as part of air medical teams whenever they have serious and urgent child patients to care for. Neonates, infants, toddlers, little children, preteens, and adolescents — all fall under the purview of pediatric nursing, making it quite a vast field than otherwise thought of.

Pediatric emergency nursing involves a family-oriented caregiving atmosphere focusing more on sensitivity and human needs assistance than any other medical care environment. Key features of pediatric emergency nursing include:

• Handling multifaceted trauma, injury, or illness cases with equal calm without letting the patients feel the urgency of the situation

• Stabilizing patients with focused and wholesome care

• Quickly diagnosing conditions and providing on-spot solutions

• Administering the proper medications to minimize pain

• Keeping up with the fast-paced work environment by constantly upgrading skills and knowledge

• Providing comfort and compassionate care when children are at their most vulnerable. Pediatric emergency room nurses know how to put children at ease while healing their bodies.

• Taking the time to comfort and educate families on current situations and ongoing health and treatment plans.  Being patient and caring for the families who accompany the little patients and working on easing their mental trauma

• Most importantly, not giving in to heartbreak and despair when some cases do not see improvement or success. Learning to control emotions and moving on is the key to helping more and more patients in this work environment.

If you are drawn to both pediatrics and emergency room nursing, pediatric emergency room nursing may be the perfect job for you, and an Emergency Nurse Pediatric Course (ENPC) provides the foundational skills needed to make you comfortable handling the myriad of situations that may arise.  

ACLS Academy’s ENPC is an 18-hour course designed to provide core-level pediatric knowledge and psychomotor skills needed to care for pediatric patients in the emergency setting. The course presents a systematic assessment model, integrates anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology, and identifies appropriate interventions. The Emergency Nurse Association’s (ENA) Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course allows participants to strengthen and develop their pediatric emergency nursing skills while expanding their personal growth by collaborating with nurses from various practice settings. ENPC brings together participants from multiple emergency department settings and nurses in other nursing specialties. Course materials include the 5th Edition with added content on dermatologic and environmental emergencies, human trafficking, and food allergies; it will be an excellent resource for you even after completing the course.

Course content covers:  

• Early patient assessment

• Systematic assessment of the pediatric patient

• Pediatric pathophysiology

• Pediatric triage

• Early interventions

• Family presence

• Pediatric care from birth through the teenage years

The course is taught using a variety of formats, including online modules, live simulations, patient experience videos, and instructor-led classroom discussions and skills stations that encourage participants to integrate their psychomotor abilities into a patient situation in a risk-free setting. Upon successful course completion, you will receive a 4-year, internationally recognized verification as an ENPC provider and earn 18.25 contact hours of CNE.

Ready to take this next step? By taking an ENPC course, you’ll feel more confident in the nursing care that you are giving and take your nursing practice to the next level with continuing certifications that recognize your dedication to your important field.  Sign up for an ACLS Academy ENPC course today. 

Healthcare Certifications and the Necessity of Hands-on Training

HEALTHCARE CERTIFICATIONS AND THE NECESSITY OF HANDS-ON TRAINING at ACLS Academy

Today, training for nearly any job or learning for any class can take various forms. While lectures were once the norm for most of those in the healthcare profession, students and professionals can now find a plethora of ways to learn and hone their life-saving skills and advance their careers. While online and remote learning availability has exploded for all learning, in the healthcare world, hands-on training remains a priority for many who know that they will learn best if they can practice beforehand.

Healthcare education can be broadly split into two domains –the theory or knowledge and the ability to use this in a practical environment to help patients and work as a team. What differentiates health care education from other courses in higher education is that it provides a vocational qualification, producing professionals who have substantial knowledge in their field and are trained on how to apply this to provide a service. This practical application of knowledge is where hands-on learning fits into health care education.

Hands-on skills training in healthcare offers several significant benefits for healthcare professionals and the patients they serve. Here are some key advantages:

• Practical Competence: Hands-on training allows healthcare professionals to develop practical competence in various medical procedures. It helps them refine their technical skills and will enable instructors to recognize and correct mistakes while still learning, dramatically reducing the chances of the same mistakes cropping up after a training course.  This practical experience enhances their ability to deliver high-quality care and improves patient outcomes.

• Confidence and Efficiency: Healthcare professionals gain confidence in their abilities by engaging in hands-on training. Increased confidence leads to better decision-making and quicker response times during critical situations. Practicing skills in a controlled environment under the guidance of experienced mentors helps build their self-assurance, which translates into improved efficiency and accuracy when they perform these skills in real healthcare settings.

• Patient Safety: Hands-on training is essential for maintaining patient safety. It ensures that healthcare professionals are well-prepared and capable of delivering care without compromising patient well-being. By practicing skills in simulated or supervised settings, they can learn to avoid potential errors, identify and mitigate risks, and adhere to safety protocols. This focus on patient safety reduces the likelihood of adverse events and improves overall healthcare quality.

• Teamwork and Communication: Many healthcare procedures require coordinated efforts among multiple professionals. Hands-on training fosters teamwork and effective communication skills, allowing healthcare providers to collaborate seamlessly and deliver coordinated care. By engaging in simulations or interactive scenarios, professionals can understand the importance of clear communication, establish efficient workflows, and enhance inter-professional collaboration, leading to better patient outcomes and satisfaction.

• Adaptability and Preparedness: The healthcare field is dynamic and constantly evolving. Hands-on training equips healthcare professionals with the adaptability and preparedness to navigate new challenges and emerging technologies. By practicing skills, they become more comfortable with change, quickly learn new techniques, and adapt to evolving best practices. This agility ensures that healthcare professionals remain up-to-date and ready to provide the best possible care to their patients.

• Professional Development and Lifelong Learning: Hands-on skills training encourages ongoing professional development and lifelong learning. It instills a continuous improvement mindset among healthcare professionals, motivating them to seek new knowledge, refine their skills, and stay abreast of advancements in their field. By actively engaging in hands-on training opportunities, healthcare professionals can maintain their competence, enhance their career prospects, and contribute to the overall advancement of healthcare.

ACLS Academy is an authorized American Heart Associate (AHA) Aligned Training Center with three convenient locations in Massachusetts – Quincy, Bridgewater, and Newton Center.  We offer the following classes with an in-person hands-on skills training session allowing you to practice and master the proper techniques:

• ADVANCED CARDIOVASCULAR LIFE SUPPORT (ACLS) – In-person or online cognitive learning with in-person hands-on skills training

• BASIC LIFE SUPPORT (BLS) - In-person or online cognitive learning with in-person, hands-on skills training

• EMERGENCY NURSING PEDIATRIC COURSE (ENPC) – Online cognitive learning with in-person hands-on skills training and discussions 

• HEARTSAVER CPR/AED/FIRST AID – In-person or online cognitive learning with in-person hands-on skills training

• NEONATAL RESUSCITATION PROGRAM (NRP) - Online testing and simulations with in-person hands-on training simulations and debriefing

• PEDIATRIC ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT (PALS) – In-person or online cognitive learning with in-person hands-on skills training

• STOP THE BLEED - Online or in-person interactive course with in-person hands-on skills training

• TRAUMA NURSING CARE COURSE (TNCC) - Online testing and simulations with in-person skills stations and debriefing

Don’t have the time for a full in-person class? We always try to ensure ACLS Academy is here for our local community by providing a breadth of courses and flexible schedules for the life-saving training you need.  Many of our classes have an option of a blended format, including the AHA online class, followed by a short skills session. See more about our blended courses in our recent blog.  

The Power of CPR: A 13-year-old Survivor’s Tale

THE POWER OF CPR: A 13-YEAR-OLD SURVIVOR’S TALE

It’s a normal day – Dad is caretaking two of his children, Mom is out of town for work, and their third child, a 13-year-old daughter, is competing in the local spelling bee at the school library. No one foresees the life-changing event that is about to occur. It could have been a tragedy except for the CPR training of the School Administrators and their courage to take action quickly.

 In one year alone, 436,000 Americans die from cardiac arrest. Globally, cardiac arrest claims more lives than colorectal cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, influenza, pneumonia, auto accidents, HIV, firearms, and house fires combined. Consider these statistics from the American Heart Association: 

• More than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of the hospital each year. In 2020, any-mention sudden cardiac arrest mortality in the US was 436,852. CPR, especially if administered immediately after cardiac arrest, can double or triple a person’s chance of survival. According to 2021 US data for adult OHCA only, survival to hospital discharge was 9.1% for all EMS-treated non-traumatic OHCA cardiac arrests.

• Bystander CPR improves survival. The location of Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrests (OHCA) most often occurs in homes/residences (73.4%), followed by public settings (16.3%) and nursing homes (10.3%). CPR can double or triple the chance of survival from an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest if performed immediately.

• Help is needed immediately. Unfortunately, only about 40% of people who experience an OHCA get the immediate help they need before professional help arrives. The 2023 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics state that among the over 356,000 OHCA that occurred, 40.2% received bystander CPR.

Emma was a 13-year-old girl who experienced medical distress while participating in the local spelling bee. She had no history of any previous medical conditions or heart-related issues. Upon going into cardiac arrest, School Administrators trained in CPR jumped into action as they had been taught during their CPR training. Between the School Administrators, First Responders, and Paramedics, Emma received almost 45 minutes of CPR, which saved her life. According to the American Heart Association, CPR or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation – is an emergency life-saving procedure when the heart stops beating. Immediate CPR can double or triple the chances of survival after cardiac arrest.

CPR is critical in instances where a person's heart stops beating, or they stop breathing. Rapid chest compressions mimic the heart beating to encourage blood flow, which can help the victim until additional help arrives. Being CPR trained means you know how to quickly and properly administer CPR. This can mean life or death for someone in medical distress. 

During cardiac arrest, the heart stops pumping blood to the brain and other vital organs. As a result of a decrease in blood flow to the brain, a victim will fall unconscious. The brain can suffer damage in as few as three minutes without proper blood flow. There can be irreversible damage after nine minutes without blood flow to the brain. CPR helps to keep blood flowing and may help minimize the damage to the victim. Quick action on the part of the School Administrators in correctly administering CPR saved Emma’s life and protected her from organ failure or brain damage.

Emma’s doctors ultimately diagnosed her with Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT),  an inherited cardiac condition that causes sudden rhythm disturbances, called arrhythmias, in otherwise healthy children. These abnormal rhythms often occur at high adrenaline levels, such as during exercise, strong emotions, or stress—like competing in front of a large group! In looking back on the incident, Emma’s father realized how fortunate the incident occurred in a location where people had life-saving CPR training. Had Emma gone into cardiac arrest in their living room, where we all feel safe, she wouldn’t have made it as no one in their household was trained in CPR.  

Watch a compelling video about Emma’s story and life-changing incident here.

If you want to empower yourself like the School Administrators in Emma’s story with the ability to save lives during a cardiac incident, consider taking a CPR class. ACLS Academy is an authorized American Heart Associate (AHA) Aligned Training Center offering Heartsaver CPR and AED training designed for non-medically trained individuals. In addition to CPR and AED use, the Heartsaver course provides an additional, supplemental First Aid training component which can be done as a stand-alone course or as an add-on to the CPR and AED training. We have three convenient locations in Massachusetts – Quincy, Bridgewater, and Newton Center.

Our Heartsaver course covers the following:

• Responding to and managing illnesses and injuries in adults, children, and infants.

• First aid basics for common first aid emergencies.

• How to perform life-saving skills. 

• How to recognize cardiac arrest and what to do until EMS arrives.

We offer Heartsaver CPR hybrid learning courses where the course work is online, and the skills session is in person or entirely online, facilitated through the American Heart Association. The online portion provides the flexibility of completing training at your own pace, either at work, home, or wherever you have Internet access. The hands-on portion includes a skills practice and testing session conducted in person with an AHA Instructor. The skills session can take approximately 1-2 hours. 

Sign up here for ACLS Academy's Heartsaver courses, or contact us for questions or additional information.

CPR & AED Awareness Week is June 1-7, 2023

CPR & AED AWARENESS WEEK IS JUNE 1-7, 2023

CPR and AED Awareness Week is an annual observance to raise awareness about the importance of knowing how to perform CPR and use an AED in emergencies. The event aims to educate individuals about these life-saving techniques and devices, empowering them to respond effectively during cardiac emergencies.

CPR & AED Awareness Week was officially established by a joint resolution of the United States Congress in 2007. The resolution designated the first week of June each year as National CPR & AED Awareness Week. The American Heart Association (AHA), along with other organizations and stakeholders, played a crucial role in advocating for the establishment of this awareness week. Since then, CPR & AED Awareness Week has been observed annually to promote CPR and AED training, raise public awareness, and encourage individuals to take action during cardiac emergencies. 

CPR, or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, is a technique used to manually restore the circulation of oxygenated blood to the brain and other vital organs when the heart stops beating. It involves a combination of chest compressions and rescue breaths to maintain blood flow and oxygenation to a person experiencing cardiac arrest, and it can be used to treat various types of cardiac arrest.

AEDs, or automated external defibrillators, are portable electronic devices that deliver a shock to the heart to restore its normal rhythm. They are often used in conjunction with CPR and are designed to be used by individuals with minimal training. AEDs can significantly improve survival rates for people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, and they are commonly found in public places such as airports, shopping centers, and sports facilities.

CPR & AED Awareness Week was established to emphasize the importance of prompt bystander intervention in saving lives during cardiac emergencies. The event educates the public about the importance of early CPR and AED use, highlights the need for widespread CPR training, and encourages individuals to learn these vital skills. Being CPR trained means you know how to quickly and properly administer CPR. This quick response can mean life or death for someone in medical distress.

The importance of CPR & AED Awareness Week lies in its potential to save lives. Cardiac arrest can strike anyone, anywhere, anytime, and immediate action is crucial for survival. By increasing awareness and knowledge about CPR and AEDs, more individuals can be equipped with the skills and confidence to respond effectively during cardiac emergencies. Prompt bystander intervention significantly improves the chances of survival for someone experiencing sudden cardiac arrest until professional help arrives.

Through CPR & AED Awareness Week, communities and organizations aim to create a culture of preparedness, empowering individuals to become potential life-savers. By encouraging widespread CPR training, promoting AED accessibility, and fostering a proactive approach to cardiac emergencies, the event strives to positively impact public health and reduce the number of preventable deaths caused by sudden cardiac arrest.

The importance of CPR and AED awareness cannot be overstated. According to the American Heart Association, cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in the United States. More than 356,000 cardiac arrests occur outside a hospital in the U.S. each year, and the survival rates for people who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting are generally low. However, early intervention with CPR and AEDs can significantly improve a person's chances of survival. 

In addition to learning about CPR and AEDs, it is also vital for individuals to understand the signs of cardiac arrest and to know when to call for emergency medical assistance. Some of the most common symptoms of cardiac arrest include sudden loss of consciousness, cessation of breathing, and absence of a pulse.

At ACLS Academy, we have three different variations of Heartsaver CPR courses available to non-medical professionals:  1) HEARTSAVER CPR/AED/FIRST AID, 2) HEARTSAVER CPR/AED, OR 3) PEDIATRIC CPR/AED/FIRST AID

American Heart Association Heartsaver courses are designed to prepare non-healthcare providers for the ability to effectively administer CPR, including the use of AEDs for adult, child, and/ or infant responses. These courses are typically required for lifeguards, physical trainers, restaurant workers, coaches, and similar groups. In addition to CPR & AED use, the Heartsaver course offers an additional, supplemental First Aid training component which can be done as a stand-alone course or as an add-on to the CPR & AED training.

Our Heartsaver course covers the following:

• Responding to and managing illnesses and injuries in adults, children, and infants.

• First aid basics for common first aid emergencies.

• How to perform life-saving skills. 

• How to recognize cardiac arrest and what to do until EMS arrives.

Our Heartsaver Blended Learning courses include an online portion and a hands-on skills session. The online portion provides the flexibility of completing training at your own pace, either at work, home, or wherever you have Internet access. The hands-on portion includes a skills practice and testing session conducted in person with an AHA Instructor. The skills session can take approximately 1-2 hours. Sign up here for ACLS Academy's Heartsaver courses, or contact us for questions or additional information. 

CPR and AED Awareness Week provides an important opportunity for individuals to learn more about these life-saving procedures and to take steps to become better prepared to respond to emergencies. By learning about CPR and AEDs, individuals can help improve survival rates for people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest and make their communities safer and more prepared.  To learn more about how CPR saves lives and occupations for which CPR training is essential, read our recent blog posts on these topics.