Letter from Southeast Tennessee Executive Director, Julia Wright-February 2016

It’s February and hearts are everywhere; on cards and boxes of our favorite candy- even balloons are shaped in hearts.

At the Red Cross, we are thinking about hearts in a different way.  Heart attacks and cardiac arrest are major causes of illness and death in the United States. Every day in U.S. homes, parks and workplaces someone will have a heart attack or go into cardiac arrest. Performing CPR and using an automated external defibrillator (AED) immediately after a person goes into cardiac arrest can greatly increase his or her chance of survival.

It is important to know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack.

·       Chest pain, discomfort or pressure

·       Discomfort in other areas of the upper body in addition to the chest

·       Trouble breathing

·       The person’s skin may be pale or ashen (gray), especially around the face

You can learn more about by taking our “ Save a Coworker” quiz at  http://www.redcross.org/prepare/location/workplace/quiz-save-coworker

Download our First Aid app by texting "GETFIRST" to 90999 or take an American Red Cross First Aid/CPR course at your local chapter by registering at http://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/program-highlights/cpr