BY HONNIE LET B. COQUILLA, CHINKEE A. JUGALBOT, AND ALYANNA L. ORBITA/DSSC INTERN
SUDDEN cardiac arrest remains one of the leading causes of death recorded at the Southern Philippines Medical Center.
According to hospital data, there were 32 cases of sudden cardiac arrest admitted to the emergency room last month, with a 22% survival rate.
Philippine Statistics Authority data revealed that ischaemic heart disease accounted for 57,835 cases or 19.1% of the total mortality rates in the country for the first half of 2023. Ischaemic heart disease will increase the risk factors for sudden cardiac arrest.
The Philippine Heart Association recorded an estimated 70,000 cases of people experiencing cardiac arrest per year, but only 1% of these individuals received proper first aid within the critical first minutes.
Meanwhile, the majority of the 400-500 cases referred to the SPMC in 2023 were cardiovascular-related.
Dr. Dave Benedict C. Robles, senior resident at SPMC’s Department of Emergency Medicine, said at least one family member must know how to administer CPR properly.
For instance, almost 8 in 10 out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrests occurred at home and were witnessed by a family member.
The Philippine Heart Association said that proper CPR will double the likelihood of the patient surviving the ordeal.
Dr. April Anne Rivamonte-Delola, also from the emergency department, highlighted the importance of understanding the fundamentals of cardiopulmonary resuscitation on CPR Awareness Day at the recent forum held in Kapehan sa Dabaw.
She also gave a demonstration of how to perform CPR using an AED (Auto External Defibrillator) alongside Dr. Robles.
The two physicians also urged people to join workshops and training, whether they are held in communities or schools.
