Iowa Heart Center Foundation to donate lifesaving automatic external defibrillator (AED) to American Legion Post #403 and Veterans Reception Center
Jan. 01, 2015
The Iowa Heart Center Foundation announced today it is donating an automatic external defibrillator (AED) to the American Legion Post #403 and Veterans Reception Center to provide a safer environment to all who use the facility.
Margaret Verhey, Iowa Heart Center cardiologist and member of the Iowa Heart Center Foundation, will present Robin Thompson, facility manager, with the device on Tuesday, January 13, 2015, at the Van Meter American Legion.
Since cardiac arrest can strike anywhere, anytime, one of the best defenses is to make sure the community is supplied with life-saving technology and is trained in its use. AEDs – automatic external defibrillators – are state of the art devices that when used in conjunction with effective CPR, assist in the resuscitation of a sudden cardiac arrest victim. AEDs do not require extensive medical knowledge to understand or operate. The expertise is programmed into the device, enabling non-medical individuals to respond to cardiac emergencies.
“With every passing minute in sudden cardiac arrest, the chance of surviving decreases by about 10 percent,” says Dr. Verhey. “Increased access to AEDs can save dozens of lives each year in our community.”
For more information about the Iowa Heart Center Foundation AED Placement Program please call (515) 633-3555.
About sudden cardiac arrest:
Sudden cardiac death is a devastating occurrence that can strike anyone at any time. It is usually caused by an electrical malfunction of the heart called ventricular fibrillation – an ineffective quivering of the heart muscle that makes it unable to pump blood through the body. Once the blood stops circulating, a victim quickly loses consciousness and the ability to breathe. Prompt defibrillation is the only effective treatment. AEDs have been shown to be effective when used on victims of cardiac arrest as long as they are used within the first few minutes after the arrest begins, and are typically more effective when combined with CPR.