The statistics are unimaginable….without an AED, approximately 95% of heart attacks on golf courses are fatal.  According to the American Heart Association, golf courses have become the most common place for a heart attack making AEDS or automated external defibrillators a necessity in every club house.

Sudden cardiac arrest, or SCA, is the leading cause of death in the United States.  SCA occurs when the heart stops beating, which stops the blood from flowing throughout the body.  The risk for SCA increases with age and men are about 3 times more likely to experience SCA than women.

Here are some signs to look for

• Chest pains
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath
• Vomiting
• Prior to fainting or losing consciousness, some may experience a racing heartbeat or a dizzy feeling
• Loss of consciousness or fainting
• No heartbeat of pulse

What Should You Do if this occurs:

• Call 911! Have someone in your group call 9-1-1 and retrieve the AED. If you are alone on the golf course with your buddy, call 9-1-1 first and get an AED if possible.
• Are they breathing? If NO, start CPR immediately! Use an AED as soon as possible.
• Continue CPR until the individual starts breathing or until medical support arrives.

How Can Your Golf Club Prepare:

All golf clubs should have AED’s in their clubhouses and there should be portable devices located throughout the course.  When you check in for your tee time—ask where their AEDs are located so you’ll be prepared in the event of an emergency.   Also this is a great opportunity to make sure that everyone is CPR certified in your golfing group.

As a reminder, if an AED is used within 5 minutes of a Sudden Cardiac collapse the survival rates are approximately 70% as compared to the 5% survival rate without one!  Golf courses are listed as the top places in which cardiac arrests can occur.  Be informed and inform your favorite golf club about why an AED is important!

CPR Choice is your go-to place for AEDs and CPR certification training.  We sell state of the art AEDs to families and businesses and provide support on training, as well as maintenance requirements.  We also offer convenient CPR, First Aid and AED classes all over Knoxville and the surrounding counties.  Visit our website at www.cprchoice.com for additional information on AEDs and our class schedules.

 http://www.golfwisconsin.com/articles

Have you ever tried an energy drink? If you did, did you experience an immediate energy boost?  Energy drinks continue to increase in popularity and marketing has been expanded to all age groups – young and old. I’m sure with the pressures of our fast paced environment, people feel the need to have that extra spark.

According to Transparency Market Research, they estimate that the energy drink market will grow over 10% in 2016 and currently it’s a 10 billion dollar industry. The manufactures of these products feel that health conscious folks will continue to be attracted to their product to help them remain active and alert.

What’s in an Energy Drink?

Red Bull and Gatorade hold the market share today on energy drinks. And I’m sure you all have seen the appealing marketing associated with these drinks. I mean really who wouldn’t want the additional support Red Bull claims to provide so you can be fully focused on your job or at your peak performance if you’re an athlete? It’s been said that Red Bull gives you wings.   The ingredients in a Red Bull Energy drink seem harmless:

• Caffeine- one 8.4 oz. can contains 80mg of caffeine
• Taurine
• B Vitamins
• Sucrose & Glucose- one 8.4 oz. can contains 27g of sucrose/glucose, comparable to orange or apple juice (sugar free options are available too)
• Alpine Spring Water

In comparison, a short (8oz) cup of Starbucks coffee has 180 mg of caffeine.

Why the worry?

Some energy drinks also contain additional ingredients or stimulants such as ginseng, guarana and taurine, which is also in Red Bull. These ingredients have caffeine concentrations that are equal to or higher than the caffeine actually found in coffee and consuming high doses of any of these can be dangerous. So to sum it up, some energy drinks will mask the amount of caffeine actually found in their products.

As a result of the higher amounts of caffeine and sugar, arrhythmias can develop in young and old. It’s scary to think that about 31% of teenagers between the ages of 12 and 19 regularly consume energy drinks. Some studies have shown that consumption of energy drinks have led to sudden cardiac deaths in young, healthy individuals. Energy drinks can also increase blood pressure, increased heart rate, restlessness and insomnia.

Some established guidelines should be followed when making the choice to consume an energy drink:

• Limit the quantity of drinks you consume- the recommendation for a healthy adolescent is one can.
• Avoid any energy drink before or during sports.
• Avoid mixing with alcohol.
• Never consume an energy drink if you have an underlying medical condition and discuss any concerns you have with your family doctor.

How can you manage without an energy drink?

Just like with any drink or food or process – education is the key! Do your homework, investigate what you are putting in to your body and learn to fuel your body the right way. Try these tips to maintain your energy throughout the day:

• Eat lean proteins and smart carbohydrates such as almonds, cheese and greek yogurt.
• Try to take a 20 minute nap during the day, if possible
• Get up and move around- avoid sitting for long periods of time

Another way to educate yourself in case you are in an emergency situation, such as a sudden cardiac arrest, is to learn the life-saving skills of CPR! CPR Choice has convenient classes located in multiple areas, including Knoxville, Maryville and Tricities.   To schedule a class today, visit www.knoxvillecpr.com or www.tricitiescpr.com. We’d love to see you in a class!

sources:
http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/energy-drinks-market.html
http://www.caffeineinformer.com/the-complete-guide-to-starbucks-caffeine

Congratulations to all the runners, walkers and volunteers who participated in the 2015 Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon weekend.   In its 11^th year, Knoxville welcomed over 7000 runners and walkers to the streets of Knoxville this cold Sunday morning. If you’re a runner and/or walker or both this race offers something for you. A marathon, half marathon, 5k, 2 relay options and a kids run.  We also saw a lot of race teams today.  Team t-shirts and groups of teams were sprinkled through out the race, all supporting their business, employers and running groups.  What we loved was the fact that these teams, training behind them now were holding each other accountable and supporting each other every step of the way.  This is the exact reason why Covenant Health uses this race as a motivator to help people improve their overall health and help bring an awareness of the importance of physical activity and quality of life.

Even though the race course can be challenging and has grown to become one of the largest competitive road races in East Tennessee, this race is my favorite of all time!   The finish line is in Neyland Stadium, home of our Tennessee Volunteers, and you get to enjoy your victorious finish on the 50 yard line! It is such a thrill to see yourself on the jumbrotron and see the crowds in the stands cheering you on!

Again, congratulations to all the participants who ran today and a big thank you to all the countless volunteers and medical staff that were present before, during and after the race.  CPR Choice hopes to see you all next year!

Click here for WBIR’s photo album of today’s race.

I Love You With All My Kidney!

Celebrating National Kidney month, this past Saturday I participated in the 4^th annual East Tennessee Kidney Foundation Lucky Kidney Run. The Lucky Kidney Run, benefitting the East Tennessee Kidney Foundation (ETKF), was a fun and family-oriented fundraiser that focused on prevention, detection, and education of kidney disease, dialysis and the need for organ donation. In the 4^th year, this run/walk proceeds will be used to help support low-income households who cannot afford to reach their life-dependent dialysis treatments. This is a local effort, as there are over 1500 dialysis patients in East Tennessee.

Kidneys- What are they & what do they do?

Kidneys are vital organs, just like your heart and lungs. The two bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist are located just below the rib cage with one on each side. They keep the composition of your blood stable and without it your body will not function.   Their primary role is to filter waste and extra water out of your blood. The waste and extra fluid exits your body thru your urine, engaging the bladder to use as a holding place and the urethra, which is the tube where the urine flows thru when leaving your body.

On a daily basis, the kidneys filter 120-150 quarts of blood (almost 30 gallons!) and sift out 1-2 quarts of extra water and waste products. The filtering of waste happens in tiny units inside the kidneys called nephrons. Each kidney has about a million nephrons. The nephron includes a filter, called glomerulus, and a tubule. Nephrons work in 2 steps- the first is the glomerulus lets fluid and waste produces pass through it; however it prevents blood cells and large molecules, most proteins from passing. Secondly the filtered fluid then passes through the tubule, which sends needed minerals back to the bloodstream and removes waste.

Besides preventing the back up of wastes and fluids in our body, they also:

• Helps control your blood pressure
• Makes hormones that help keep your bones strong
• Makes red blood cells
• Regulates the level of your electrolytes, including sodium, potassium and phosphates

Obviously, when the kidneys are not functioning properly, removing waste or regulating blood pressure your health will decline. If your kidneys have been permanently damaged, it’s called chronic kidney disease (CKD) or kidney disease. If the damage is severe enough and your kidneys stop working, this is called kidney failure. Kidney failure results in dialysis and/or a kidney transplant.

How do you keep your kidneys healthy?

• Manage your diabetes – high blood sugar slowly damages your kidney
• Eat a heart healthy diet
• Exercise
• Keep a healthy blood pressure

We care about your overall well-being and we encourage you to incorporate these kidney healthy tips into your daily routine.  CPR Choice is also committed to offering you life-saving skills such as First Aid, CPR and AED training.   Having confidence in your ability to perform CPR and to use an AED is the best way to prevent unnecessary deaths. CPR Choice is your source to learn the skills needed to save a life!  Sign your family up today and be equipped with the skills to help save a life, possibly a loved one.

As I celebrate a 10 year cancerversary, I can’t help but think about others who have just been diagnosed, those still fighting every minute of every day, and those who have lost the fight. I was lucky and I try to give back every day in my love for others and interactions.   And I’m an organ donor.

Ten years ago I was diagnosed with Stage II Renal Cell Carcinoma. I can still remember the day I was diagnosed. I remember the pain I was in although time has dulled the feelings, the immediate anxiety about the unknown and the future, and I remember thinking am I going to survive this? I immediately started thinking of my next steps- power of attorney, living will, will and all the other financial implications one deals with when faced with a major illness. Things moved quickly for me and diagnosis and surgery was less than a week apart. As a result, I never complain about doctor appointments or testing running late because that week I’m sure I bumped everyone. This was one of many shifts in my thinking. I was blessed to be cared for so quickly and with such compassion. My cancer was all contained and my right kidney was removed. After the surgery and recovery, I was blessed to resume my life, my normal life.   Not everyone gets that chance.

March is National Kidney Month! There will be 5ks, 10ks, fundraisers and other activities to bring awareness of kidney disease, tips on kidney health and how to manage kidney disease. It’s also a great time to think about organ donation. Organ donation shares life with others. Donations are not limited to just organs, tissues are valuable too. Lifesaving transplants include heart, liver, pancreas, kidneys, lungs and small bowel. Tissues that could save or enhance someone’s life include eyes/corneas, heart valves, bones and skin grafts.

Donate Life Tennessee is the state’s official, nonprofit (501c3) Organ and Tissue Donor Registry. Dedicated to saving the lives of thousands of Tennesseans who are waiting for life-saving transplants. Donate Life Tennessee provides you a place to document your decision of organ and tissue donation. Once you register, you are immediately available to authorized donation professionals, which means your decision will be honored in the event of your death. You may also register when you renew or apply for a drivers license or ID with the Tennessee Department of Safety. Just remember to say “YES” every year to organ donation to remain on the registry.

Currently over 1900 Tennesseans are waiting for transplants and hoping for another chance at life! The power is in your hands. Register today!

Did you know that Colon Cancer is the 2^nd leading cause of cancer deaths for both men and women? Colon cancer or colorectal cancer, which includes colon cancers as well as cancers that form in the rectum, affects everyone- all races and ethnic backgrounds.   March is devoted to helping communities, families and medical professionals work together to help spread the word, provide treatment options and information, and providing tips for prevention.

Colon cancer is a malignancy that starts in the large intestine and/or colon and begins as benign polyps. The polyps are growths attached to the lining of the large intestine and occasionally produce symptoms such as bleeding and/or constipation. However, sometimes you will not receive a warning sign! Prevention is the always the key and March provides a platform to remind everyone how important it is to get checked and pay attention to the warning signs. As a result of the increased attention – prevention, early detection and treatment have resulted in death rates decreasing and we can still do more! Here’s some tips to follow for better health:

• Get Screened! 50 is the magic number, unless you have a family history or other risk factors.
• Exercise
• Limit the amount of red meat; eating processed meat and/or red meat, such as hamburger or steak, increases your risk of colon cancer.
• Take a multi vitamin; This is an easy way to help protect against colon cancer and as an added bonus calcium and vitamin d have also been show to also reduce the risks! One a day is plenty!
• Don’t smoke!
• Maintain a healthy weight-obesity and additional weight gain is linked to at least 10+ different kinds of cancers! Do yourself a favor and lose the weight, lose the risk!

Know the risks, talk with your doctor and practice prevention!
CPR Choice cares about you & your health!

Seems like everyone around you is SICK! How can you strengthen your immune system’s defense again viruses and bacterial infections that cause conditions like the common cold or flu. We know everyone will and can get sick, even the healthiest people. We wanted to share a few ways to support your immune system the natural way.

1. 8 hours of sleep is a requirement!   Sleep helps the body regulate the immune system. It’s critical you get enough rest before you get sick.
2. Focus on hygiene.   According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, washing your hands is the best way to steer clear of an illness. Washing your hands should take you at least 15-20 seconds, using warm water and soap. Seems silly to remind you, but you should always wash your hands prior to preparing food or eating and after you cough, sneeze or use the restroom.
3. Relieve your stress. Studies have shown that prolonged stress has a negative impact on a person’s immune system.   Incorporate stress relieving techniques in your daily routine – those can include yoga, meditation or cuddling with a loved one.
4. Moderate exercise is the key! Working out on a regular basis can help mobilize your T cells, which are a type of white blood cells known to guard the body against infections. Moderate exercise includes a brisk walk for an average of about 30 minutes a day. Easy enough and not only fights against illness, but also helps you stay fit and mentally in balance.
5. Diet- seems like it all comes down to what we eat! Antioxidants are essential to supporting our immune systems.   Antioxidants fight the free radicals, which are chemical by products know to damage DNA and suppress the immune system. To continue to fight the free radicals- make sure your diet is rich in fruits and vegetables. Also for another immune boost, add garlic and ginger to your diet.   Garlic has virus-fighting and bacteria-killing properties, while ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory. And don’t forget the importance of water! It helps keep infections at bay by flushing out your system.

CPR Choice cares about your well-being. Incorporate these tips into your every day to help you stay healthy!  

Heart disease is the number one killer in American. Let me say it again—the NUMBER ONE killer and in most cases we can avoid or decrease our chances of developing this disease. Heart disease occurs when the arteries that supply the heart with blood, oxygen and any nutrients start to narrow. The narrowing is a result of a buildup of cholesterol fatty deposits inside the arterial walls. The buildup, also known as plaque, clogs up the arteries creating blockages therefore restricting oxygenated blood to get to the heart.

Lower your risk today by adopting the following habits:

1. Stop smoking and don’t start! Smoking is the leading preventable cause of heart disease in women. Chemicals in the tobacco can damage your heart and blood vessels, leading to atherosclerosis, which is narrowing of the arteries. This leads to a heart attack. Also, the carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke replaces some of the oxygen in your blood. This leads to higher blood pressures and forces your heart to work harder. Bottom line- stop smoking! The good news is once you stop your risk of heart disease drops significantly over the years. By the 5^th year of non-smoking you are almost back to a non-smoker status!
2. Eat a heart healthy diet. Plan ahead, do some research and find a heart healthy diet for you and your family to follow. It’s not really about cutting back but making better choices- for you and your loved ones. By eating the right foods YOU can manage so many things, for example control your weight, blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol. To get you started here’s some additional tips:
   1. Add plenty of fruits and vegetables to your daily food routine, especially those green leafy vegetables and vitamin C rich items. Your goal should be at least 10 servings a day. And fruits and vegetables have an added bonus- not only do they help prevent heart disease, they may also help prevent cancer and improve diabetes.
   2. Don’t forget whole grains and fiber.
   3. Watch your sodium intake– eating at home is the best way to manage the amount of sodium you eat!
3. MOVE! Regular exercise can help prevent your risk of fatal heart disease. When you combine exercise with the other tips we have provided you will reap so many benefits, such as helping your body reduce insulin resistance and providing you with endorphins that lift your mood! A brisk 30 minute will do wonders for your body and mind!
4. Maintain a healthy weight. Carrying extra weight, especially around your mid-section increases your risk of heart disease. It can also open the door to additional health issues such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Avoid the word “diet” – look for ways to make lifestyle changes. Make good food choices and learn to fuel your body the right way!
5. Sleep! Did you know that sleep deprivation increases your stress hormones, raises your blood pressure and can affect your blood sugar levels? Adequate sleep is crucial to our proper brain function, basically we need time to decompress and prepare mentally and physically for the next day. We need at least 8 hours of restful sleep a night. We have adopted the following strategies to help us get a good night’s sleep:
   1. Get on a schedule to help you keep regular sleep hours.
   2. Meditate before going to bed, focus on lowering your heart rate and relaxing.
   3. Exercise daily but limit exercise to at least 4 hours prior to bedtime.
   4. Avoid caffeine, alcohol or any other stimulant 4 hours before bedtime.
   5. Avoid watching TV before bedtime.

The risk is real! Heart disease will affect a member of your family, a co-worker, an associate- the question is are you prepared to help in the event of a medical emergency. CPR Choice offers classes in First Aid, CPR and AED Training.  We have a passion for training people in the event of a medical situation. Check out our CPR training calendar and sign up for a class today in Knoxville, Maryville, or Tri-Cities! CPR Choice also offers training on-site at your location.  Learn CPR in the comfort of your office or home!

There are differences between cardiac arrest and a heart attack and CPR Choice wants to make sure you are informed and prepared in the event of a medical emergency.

What is Sudden Cardiac Arrest or SCA?

Sudden cardiac arrest or SCA is a sudden or unexpected pulseless condition attributed to the cessation of cardiac mechanical activity.  It is usually caused by ventricular fibrillation, an abnormality in the heart’s electrical system.  When SCA occurs, blood stops flowing to the brain, the heart and the rest of the body and the person collapses.  In fact, the person is clinically dead and will remain so unless someone helps immediately.

Most people do not realize that SCA is a leading cause of death among adults over the age of 40 in the United States and other countries. In the U.S. alone, approximately 424,000 people of all ages experience SCA each year (more than 1,000/day) and 19 out of 20 victims die.

What is a Heart Attack?

A heart attack occurs when part of the heart’s blood supply is reduced or blocked, causing the heart muscle to become injured or die.  A heart attack victim is awake and may complain about painful symptoms.  The heart muscle requires oxygen to survive. Coronary arteries are in charge of bringing oxygen rich blood to the heart. However, these arteries can become more narrow and clogged by fat, cholesterol, and plaque resulting in poor perfusion.

What Can I Do?

SCA can strike anyone, anytime.  Seconds count–timely and appropriate care will substantially improve survival rates.   In the event of a Sudden Cardiac Arrest:

• Call 911. Give specific details; “I have a female, approx. 50 years old, experiencing chest pains…”
• Tell someone to get the AED.
• Begin doing chest compressions at a rate of 100 per minute. (Think of the Bee Gees song, Stayin’ Alive.) Push hard and fast in between the nipples on the lower portion of the sternum.

What you can do to prepare:

• Learn CPR and AED functionality.  Get your friends and family involved too.  Remember, over 80% of cardiac arrests occur at home, which means a life you save could very well be a loved one!

• Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Access– spread the word on why having an AED at your work, school or community center can be the key to survival.  CPR Choice sells AEDs and provides hands on training, as well as guidance on internal procedures for the best utilization.

Having confidence in your ability to perform CPR and to use an AED is the best way to prevent unnecessary deaths. CPR Choice is your source to learn the skills needed to save a life!  It is a very small price to pay versus watching the ones you love pass in front of you. Sign up for a CPR class today!

Our local, East Tennessee, news headlines are starting to include school closings and absenteeism due to the FLU!   Flu season starts in October and extends through early spring, with most cases diagnosed in January and February. The flu, also referred to as influenza, is a highly contagious viral infection. Symptoms include:

• Fever, including muscle aches
• Common cold symptoms such as runny or stuffy nose, dry cough
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Stomach upset, including nausea and diarrhea

Someone infected with the flu virus can anticipate suffering from symptoms for 7-10 days. A flu shot is suggested to help with prevention and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated every year.

Prevention- what can you do?

Getting vaccinated is the first step. Here’s some additional tips to help keep healthy this season:

• Stay away from people who are sick. Same goes for you- if you are showing signs of sickness, keep your distance to help protect them too!
• Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze. This will help prevent others from being infected.
• Wash your hands! Soap and water are best, and if that’s not available use a hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your face– eyes, nose and mouth.   This helps avoid additional contamination from touching a surface that might be infected.
• Disinfect your area! Clean and disinfect your area, especially if anyone is sick.
• Take care of yourself before you get sick- get plenty of sleep, eat right, exercise and drink plenty of fluids. Stress also reduces your immune system- find a home-work balance.

CPR Choice hopes these tips help you stay healthy and avoid the flu this season!