February is Heart Month and in that spirit, we are reminding everyone there is great value in learning how to give CPR to someone experiencing cardiac arrest. Of course, I know that ReMag and my Total Body ReSet formulas have an excellent chance of preventing cardiac arrest and heart disease in the first place...but I digress.

The Institute of Medicine [IOM] says 395,000 people in the US suffer cardiac arrest outside hospital and less than 6 percent survive. An additional 200,000 cardiac arrests occur in hospitals every year and 25% survive. That’s over half a million lives lost that could be saved.

You may think cardiac arrest is just another name for a heart attack, but it’s not – it’s worse. A heart attack may come on relatively slowly and occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked. Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart malfunctions and suddenly stops beating when its electrical activity is knocked out of rhythm. A heart attack is a “circulation” problem and sudden cardiac arrest is an “electrical” problem.

In cardiac arrest, CPR or cardioversion with a defibrillator can buy critical time if it’s started immediately.  Each year, less than 3 percent of the U.S. population receives training in CPR or defibrillator use, while some European countries mandate training. I learned CPR in my medical training and I think it’s wise for everyone to learn it, given the high probability of someone experiencing cardiac arrest in your close proximity.

What to do? Brush up on your CPR or take a class if you haven\'t been instructed in the technique.  AND, keep lots of ReMag on hand for friends and loved ones.