India has been witnessing a surge in sudden cardiac arrest cases. An increase in sedentary lifestyle, excessive consumption of fast food, increased stress levels, obesity, consumption of alcohol and smoking are some factors leading to the growing incidents of sudden heart failures. With an estimated survival of less than 10%, Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) remains one of India’s leading causes of death. This is because most people who experience a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) outside a hospital don’t receive help in time. 

CPR can save lives 

Can this grim situation be improved? Yes, it can be done if we all become aware of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and administer it promptly. CPR is a lifesaving procedure that can help increase the chances of survival after a cardiac arrest. It is performed by combining chest compressions and rescue breathing. For every minute that passes without CPR, the chances of survival decrease by 7-10%. Without oxygen-rich blood, brain damage can occur in as little as four to six minutes.

However, very few Indians are aware of CPR, and even fewer have received formal training to administer this life-saving technique. 

Ignorance about CPR 

Despite the increasing prevalence of SCA, only 2% of the general population in India is aware of the clear and present danger of sudden cardiac arrest and the usefulness of CPR. This is far lower than the international average of 30%. And this is very unfortunate as nearly 40% of those who suffer a sudden cardiac arrest outside of a hospital could be saved if CPR is administered in time. 

In India, the lack of resources to fund CPR training for schoolchildren, the lack of infrastructure in terms of trained instructors and facilities, cultural beliefs regarding the impropriety of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, the lack of social media campaigns, and the fear of any legal consequences are some of the stumbling blocks preventing the spread of awareness and training. 

This can be changed, and it is HDFC Life’s endeavor to spread awareness about CPR across India. Further, 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. Salaried professionals in the 25-45 age category who are considering buying term insurance should take a close look at this plan. 

Spreading awareness 

In India, the efforts for population-based awareness regarding sudden cardiac death and the importance of bystander CPR are scattered. Currently, there is no legislation mandating CPR training for employees working in major institutions or for students in schools. 

However, we can collectively raise awareness about the role CPR can play in saving lives. In our societies we can organize training programs to educate our children, domestic staff as well as senior citizens on how to perform this technique. HDFC Life is committed to educating the public about this life-saving technique through training workshops and informative content. 

Only 2% of the adult population in India knows how to perform CPR. This can be improved by taking an accredited first-aid training course. These courses teach how to perform CPR and use an automated external defibrillator (AED). 

Some of the things we can learn and can spread awareness about are:

  • Compression rate: How to perform chest compressions at the recommended rate of 100-120 compressions per minute 
  • Airway: How to open the airway using the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver 
  • Position: How to position yourself above the victim’s chest and push straight down 
  • Rescue breathing: How to perform rescue breathing, which is still the ideal mode of treatment for healthcare professionals 

Gaining this basic knowledge and sharing it with others can go a long way in saving lives. Taking proactive care of your heart health is also vital. HDFC Life offers Term plans such as HDFC Life’s Click 2 Protect Super to help you in case of any financial stress that may burden you or your family following a sudden cardiac arrest episode. 

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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