The 10MinHeartChallenge kick-off on Wednesday, 27 September 2017, and will run through Thursday, 28 September 2017. For every 152 kilometers biked (individuals are challenged to bike for 10 minutes) – Philips will provide one AED to the Kenya Red Cross, and the Kenya Red Cross will in turn identify and place the AED’s in public spaces throughout the Nairobi CBD.
A report by the Kenyan Ministry of Health indicates that NCDs including cardiovascular diseases (CVD’s) are a major public health concern with significant social and economic implications in terms of healthcare -needs, lost productivity and premature death. NCDs contribute to over 50% of inpatient admissions and 40% of hospital mortality causing substantial financial burden and pushing individuals, households and communities into poverty as well as slowing down economic progress.
The disease burden caused by CVDs in particular, is further fueled by adoption of unhealthy lifestyles and eating habits. In fact, the incidence of CVD is fast shifting to the youth; a trend that’s specifically prevalent in the capital city of Nairobi and underserved urban communities where fast food and sedentary lifestyles are an increasing reality.
Raising awareness on the growing incidence of CVD; especially SCA and reinforcing the need for a healthy lifestyle and healthy diet are a core component of the Back to Rhythm campaign, which will continue with several different informative and educative programmes in the coming months.
What is Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)?
SCA occurs when the electrical system of the heart becomes chaotic, causing it to stop beating effectively. Lacking proper blood flow, the person becomes unresponsive and stops breathing normally. What many don’t know is that cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) alone cannot help in the case of a SCA as it cannot restore a normal heart rhythm. A shock from a defibrillator is the most effective way to restore the heart’s normal pumping rhythm.
A person’s best chance of survival is to receive a defibrillator shock within five minutes of collapse with chances of survival reducing by 10 per cent every minute; after 10 minutes, few attempts at resuscitation are successful. A defibrillator will not save every person who experiences SCA, but more lives could be saved if those affected were reached more quickly. A quick response makes a real difference.
What is an automated external defibrillators (AEDs)?
Philips is the worldwide leader in automated external defibrillators (AEDs), having shipped over one and a half million AEDs to customers across the world. Philips manufactures AED’s, used by healthcare professionals every day; as well as AED’s designed for anyone to use, having the same ability to restart a heart as well as AEDs designed for healthcare professionals.