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Opinion
Technology offers better chance of surviving heart attack
Friday, October 30, 2015
We were saddened to hear of the death of the Rev. Tom Wilborn, who became pastor of the United Methodist Church in Curtis only five months ago.
Wilborn was in the sanctuary of his church preparing for the morning service Sunday when he collapsed of a heart attack.
A Marine Corps veteran with a history of heart trouble, he became a pastor after two divorces, seeking a stronger faith. Our condolences to his family and church flock.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, one in four deaths and about 610,000 people a year.
Much of that heart disease could be eliminated by better diet and exercise, eliminating smoking and moderating alcohol intake.
Once a heart attack does occur, however, new technology can be a lifesaver.
One important device is the automated external defibrillator, which have become more sophisticated and less expensive over the years.
An AED administers an electric shock through the chest wall to the heart, but only after built-in computers determine it's needed to restore the heart's rhythm.
They best thing about an AED is they are designed to be used with a minimum of training.
The Community Hospital Health Foundation recently purchased two AEDs and delivered them to the Knights of Columbus Hall and the Community Building at the Red Willow County Fairgrounds. The foundation has purchased and delivered AEDs to 12 other regional locations in recent years.
Community Hospital plans an educational session for the public on how to use an AED from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, in the Prairie View conference rooms at the hospital.
"With a few hours of training, anyone can learn to operate an AED safely," McCook Fire Chief Marc Harpham said. "Having more people in the community who can respond to a medical emergency by providing defibrillation will greatly increase sudden cardiac arrest survival rates."
We all get to enjoy an extra hour of sleep Sunday morning, thanks to the end of Daylight Saving Time; how about spending that hour and adding another half to learn more about how we might use an AED to save someone's life?
Find out more about heart disease and emergency treatment at heart.org.