Florida Department of Health In Brevard County Celebrates World Heart Day

By  //  September 30, 2015

creating heart healthy environments

ABOVE VIDEO: Ken Jeong suits up in new Stayin’ Alive video to promote Hands-Only CPR. (American Heart Association video)

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – In celebration of World Heart Day, the Florida Department of Health in Brevard County (DOH-Brevard) and Brevard County Fire Rescue (BCFR) promoted heart health by hosting Hands-Only™ CPR training from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, September 29, in the Posey Conference Center, 2555 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera.

World Heart Day is an annual event created by the World Heart Foundation to remind everyone that heart disease and stroke are the world’s leading causes of death.

“We are happy to work with the Florida Department of Health in Brevard County for this event,” said BCFR spokesman Don Walker.

“We believe lives can be saved if people have the right information and know these basic CPR methods. We invite everyone to come by.”

The theme for 2015 is creating heart healthy environments.

In Florida, 23.4 percent of adults age 65 and older reported in 2013 that they had been told by a healthcare provider that they had a heart attack, coronary heart disease or stroke.

Pink Ribbon Walk & Exploration Tower 5K At Port Canaveral Set For Oct. 3Related Story:
Pink Ribbon Walk & Exploration Tower 5K At Port Canaveral Set For Oct. 3

Heart disease was the leading cause of death in Florida in 2014 and is the number one killer of women, taking more lives than all forms of cancer combined.

Heidar Heshmati
Heidar Heshmati

“Hands-Only™ CPR performed by a bystander has been shown to be as effective as conventional CPR with mouth-to-mouth breaths in the first few minutes of sudden cardiac arrest,” said Florida Department of Health in Brevard County Director Dr. Heidar Heshmati.

“Partnering with Brevard County Fire Rescue to offer free Hands-Only™ CPR training is a wonderful opportunity and helps ensure Brevard residents have the tools needed to be heart healthy.”

Hands-Only™ CPR is CPR without mouth-to-mouth breaths. It is recommended for use by people who see a teen or adult suddenly collapse in an “out-of-hospital” setting (such as at home, at work or in a park). It consists of two easy steps:

1.    Call 9-1-1 (or send someone to do that); and

2.    Push hard and fast in the center of the chest.

Hands-Only™ CPR performed by a bystander has been shown to be as effective as conventional CPR with mouth-to-mouth breaths in the first few minutes of sudden cardiac arrest. Watch these videos for a brief overview of Hands Only™ CPR.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

 In celebration of World Heart Day, the Florida Department of Health in Brevard County (DOH-Brevard) and Brevard County Fire Rescue (BCFR) promoted heart health by hosting Hands-Only™ CPR training from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, September 29, in the Posey Conference Center, 2555 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera.
In celebration of World Heart Day, the Florida Department of Health in Brevard County (DOH-Brevard) and Brevard County Fire Rescue (BCFR) promoted heart health by hosting Hands-Only™ CPR training from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, September 29, in the Posey Conference Center, 2555 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera.