On June 2, Ulster County announced a county-wide initiative to save the lives of sudden cardiac arrest victims. The effort, the Ulster County HEART Safe Community Program, is one of a number of county-based HEART Safe Community Programs gaining popularity nationwide, but in New York State the initiative began a year ago – right here in Dutchess County.
Launched by County Executive William Steinhaus last September, the HEART Safe Community Program aims to recognize and honor the efforts of municipalities, businesses, educational institutions and other community organizations who have taken steps to potentially save the lives of sudden cardiac arrest victims through the use of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and increased public access to defibrillation services.
“Dutchess County has created the first county-based HEART Safe Community Program in the nation because we know the potential life-saving impact of highly accessible CPR training and defibrillators,” said Steinhaus in a Sept. 25, 2007 release.
At the time of the launch, statistics showed that more than 140 Dutchess County residents die each year due to sudden cardiac arrest. Cardiovascular disease is still the leading cause of death in Dutchess County – and the nation – but today that number may be higher. According to Dutchess County health officials, data from the New York State Department of Health and the Hudson Valley Regional EMS Center indicates that between 140-190 residents in Dutchess County die each year due to sudden cardiac arrest.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), fewer than 5 percent of sudden cardiac arrest victims survive because those who witness the event don’t know CPR or the “chain of survival” series.
The HEART Safe program helps to increase survival rates of Dutchess County residents who experience heart attacks … and Ulster County’s does, too.
Nearby initiative
Last year, 105 Ulster County residents outside hospitals and nursing homes died from sudden cardiac arrest. An automatic external defibrillator (AED) – the kind carried on ambulances, fire trucks and in police cars – might have saved 25 lives, health officials estimate.
That’s why, as part of its recent HEART Safe Program, Ulster County and a host of partners have launched a drive to make defibrillators available in every business, restaurant and public building in the region. So the initiative, rolled out in June, offers a price break on the life-saving devices – $100 off the state bid of $1,295. The state also provides a $500 tax credit for purchasers.
According to Victor Work, a project coordinator with the county health department, during a heart attack, timely treatment is critical. Work is a veteran emergency medical technician and trainer, and a member of the county defibrillator task force.
“When your heart goes into cardiac arrest, you’re dead,” he said. “Unless you get help in two or three minutes, you’re probably dead for good.”
In addition to offering incentives, the Ulster County Legislature required in June that AEDs be installed and personnel trained in more than 40 county buildings.
Using at home
Dutchess County Public Health Information Director Sabrina Jaar Marzouka says that AEDs are not currently required in county buildings here, and that it’s difficult to tell where, specifically, they are located because purchasers are not required to notify the department of health.
But, she says, they are out there, and they are saving lives.
“There are several stories of survival throughout our community thanks to the use of AEDs,” said Marzouka, who noted that a young girl at Rhinebeck High School survived cardiac arrest on May 11, 2005, thanks to the life saving device.
“The health and well being of our residents is always the top priority for Dutchess County government. We are fortunate to have such dedicated individuals like our county executive and Michael Caldwell, our
commissioner of health, whose leadership help make this important initiative happen,” said Marzouka.
The chain of survival is a series of actions that may, when properly put into motion, help reduce the likelihood of death during a heart attack. It includes:
1. Early access;
2. Early CPR;
3. Early defibrillation;
4. Early advanced care.
For more information, visit www.americanheart.org.