A cardiovascular epidemic of sorts has been raising its ugly head in India, with several celebrities and ordinary citizens falling victim. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), there has been a staggering 12.5% increase in heart attack cases in 2022 alone. Cardio Vascular Disease (CVD) cases have escalated from 25.7 million in 1990 to 64 million in 2023 and the World Health Organization states that India accounts for one-fifth of CVD deaths worldwide, especially in the younger population.
How CPR can save lives
It is imperative to know that without oxygen-rich blood, brain damage can occur in as little as four to six minutes. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving procedure that can help increase the chances of survival after a cardiac arrest. For every minute that passes without CPR, the chances of survival decrease by 7-10%. By stepping in to perform CPR, even an ordinary person can buy time for the victim and potentially save their life.
While there is a glaring need to understand and train ourselves to administer CPR sadly only 2% of the general population in India is aware of the clear and present danger of a sudden cardiac arrest and the usefulness of CPR. This is far lower than the international average of 30% and this is sad because almost 40% of lives can be saved if CPR is administered in time.
Barriers to CPR education
In the US, CPR awareness has been integrated into school curricula and workplace training programmes. However, India lacks such widespread formal initiatives. Fear of legal repercussions or concerns about contamination, often prevent bystanders from intervening during emergencies. People in India are hesitant to provide mouth-to-mouth breathing to resuscitate, especially if the victim is unknown. Cultural factors such as gender, race and sometimes class differences also prevent bystanders from offering CPR.
Some barriers to CPR education in Indian schools include lack of funding for training, not prioritizing CPR training over other subjects, limited awareness, paucity of good trainers, lack of access to technology and also lack of access to technology and training equipment. Non-English speaking teachers, especially in smaller towns and villages may also face the challenge of non-availability of training literature in local languages.
Spreading awareness about CPR
Widespread CPR training initiatives need to be undertaken at the grassroots level as well as in the larger cities and metros. HDFC Life endeavours to spread awareness about CPR across India and to safeguard your family’s heart health. HDFC Life offers Term plans such as HDFC Life’s Click 2 Protect Super. This is a comprehensive solution for individuals and families who want to protect their financial future in case of critical health conditions, such as sudden cardiac arrests. This plan offers:
- Comprehensive protection as per your needs
- Flexibility to choose from multiple coverage options
- Option to extend policy term
HDFC Life is committed to educating the public about life-saving techniques like CPR through training workshops and informative content.
Certain other attractive features of the HDFC Life’s Click 2 Protect Super plan are:
- Get back all Premium(s) paid on survival till maturity with Return of Premium option
- Get an additional amount payable in case of accidental death during the policy term
- Provides Acceleration of Death Benefit on diagnosis of specified terminal illnesses, till age 80 years.
- Option to choose increasing Death Benefit up to 200% under Life option
- Option to vary your Death Benefit according to your need under the Life Goal option
- Avail Waiver of Premium on diagnosis of Critical Illness and Total and Permanent Disability
- Option to choose Additional Cover for Spouse
- Option to financially protect your parent (s) / grandparent (s) till their survival under Parent Secure Option.
So, if you are a hardworking professional, with immense stress at work and you are unable to sustain a healthy lifestyle, do take care of your heart and your family’s health.
Watch “The Missing Beat” campaign video to learn more about heart health and how you can protect yourself and your loved ones: Watch the Video Here
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