If there was an emergency and someone was having a heart attack, could you perform life-saving CPR?

New from the American Heart Association is CPR Anytime, a learn-at-home program teaching basic CPR skills through a Skills Practice DVD and an inflatable practice mannequin. The home instruction takes 22 minutes, as opposed to the formal 4 hour training classes.

The program’s effectiveness was studied by Science Direct, to see if training for CPR could be adequately accomplished through a home learning program.

Older adults learned the fundamental skills of CPR with this training program in about half an hour. If properly distributed, this type of training could produce a significant increase in the number of lay responders who can perform CPR.

Family and Friends CPR Anytime American Heart Association

Heart disease is America’s No.1 killer. Each year more than one million Americans have a heart attack and more than half die, usually within the first hour and before reaching the hospital.

Know the warning signs of a heart attack and if you have any of the symptoms, call 9-1-1. Do not delay because you think it might be indigestion. Getting early treatment can prevent or limit the damage to the heart and prevent death.

Here are the Warning Signs of Heart Attack according to the American Heart Association:

*Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.

* Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

* Shortness of breath. May occur with or without chest discomfort.

* Other signs: These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness

If you think you or someone else is having a heart attack, get emergency help, call 9-1-1. They have trained personnel with necessary drugs and equipment. The sooner you get help and treatment, the greater the chances you can avoid permanent heart damage or death.

Please read:

American Heart Association - Heart Attack, Stroke and Cardiac Arrest Warning Signs