The Latest Mikey Network News

World Restart a Heart day

World Restart a Heart Day is an initiative created by instructors, students, hospitals, schools, CPR organizations to help educate people from around the world on how to save a life in an emergency.

After last year’s great successes, the organizations are coming together again on October 16 to celebrate World Restart a Heart day, an opportunity to emphasize the importance of bystander CPR & AED use, and we invite you to be part of this global campaign!

How to Use a MIKEY (AED)

Below are demonstration videos that explain how to use the models of defibrillators The Mikey Network has placed. If you are looking for information about How to Check your MIKEY (check the battery, pads expiration date, etc.), you will find that information here.

When someone experiences sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in a public place, the most critical actions a bystander can take are to call 9-1-1, and deliver cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to provide blood flow to the heart and brain.

If that proves ineffective in starting the victim breathing before emergency medical help arrives, and there is a AED (automatic external defibrillator) such as a MIKEY available, anyone can use this machine to deliver a potentially life-saving shock.

MIKEYs are remarkably easy and efficient to use.  Today’s defibrillators walk you through the whole process with audio prompts. It’s a matter of opening the case and following the instructions delivered through voice prompts.

The operator removes the patient’s clothing in the chest area, attaches the adhesive pads or electrodes to the chest, and stands back while the MIKEY records and analyzes the heart rhythms.  The MIKEY will tell the rescuer when and if to push the button to deliver a shock, and provides audio prompts for the proper steps.

Sometimes, CPR is required for a few minutes after defibrillation to help the patient’s heart resume an a more normal rhythm.

These videos demonstrate the use of the types of AEDs The Mikey Network has placed:

Philips AED Demonstration Videos

How to Use a Philips Heartstart FRx Defibrillator

How to Use a Philips HeartStart OnSite Defibrillator


 
Physio-Control AED Demonstration Video

How to Use a LIFEPAK CR Plus Defibrillator

Zoll AED Demonstration Video

How to use a Zoll AED plus defibrillator

Fruit and Veggies and Their Importance for Your Heart Health

As we begin the first weeks of fall there are often many changes occurring around us. Students are back to school, the temperatures outside are getting lower, and days are becoming shorter. With these external changes occurring, one  that shouldn’t  is the amount of fruits and vegetables that we eat. It’s quite common to adopt an unhealthy diet as we begin to move ourselves indoors, but instead most of us should actually be eating more as about 90% of us are not getting the proper daily amount of vegetables.

For this reason we want to highlight the importance of a diet that is full of fruits and vegetables and the benefits they contribute to your heart health. Which vegetables and fruits are the most heart healthy though?

To help, we’ve shared below some of the best fruits and vegetables that you can have for a heart-healthy diet, as well as when they’re in season.

Heart Healthy Fruits and Vegetables

Berries

Berries such as strawberries and blueberries are believed to carry antioxidants that help to decrease blood pressure and dilate blood vessels. This is attributed to the benefit of compounds known as anthocyanins, and flavonoids.

When they’re available: 

  • Strawberries: May, June, July, August, September, and October
  • Blueberries: July, August, and September
  • Cranberries:  September,  October and November
  • Raspberries: July, August, September, and  October

Potatoes

Although potatoes can be more challenging to your heart healthy dining, if you don’t deep fry them, they can be extremely good for your heart. They’re rich in potassium and high in fibre (if the skin is left on), which again, can help lower blood pressure and the risk of heart disease.

When they’re available: year round

Tomatoes

Similar to potatoes, tomatoes are high in heart-healthy potassium. Plus they’re a good source of the antioxidant lycopene. Lycopene is a carotenoid that may help to get rid of “bad ” cholesterol, keep blood vessels open and lower heart attack risk.

When they’re available: 

  • Greenhouse: year round
  • Field: July, August, September, and October

Broccoli, Spinach and Kale

When it comes to your heart health, you can’t go wrong with vegetables. Green vegetables like broccoli, spinach or kale can give an extra boost to your heart. These are high in carotenoids, which act as antioxidants and can free your body of potentially harmful compounds. They’re also high in fibre and contain lots of vitamins and minerals.

When they’re available: 

  • Broccoli: June, July, August, September, and October
  • Spinach: May, June, July, August, September, and October
  • Kale: June, July, August, September, and October

Avocado

These soft, tasty fruits will provide your body and heart with plenty of healthy fats. They’re composed of monounsaturated fats, high in antioxidants, and also contain potassium to help lower heart disease factors.

When they’re available: (commercially) generally year round

Asparagus

One of the most important heart-healthy ingredients that are found in asparagus is vitamin B6. This vitamin can lower homocysteine, a form of amino acid that has been linked to heart disease.

When they’re available: May and June

Bell Peppers

Bell peppers contain folate, another nutrient that can reduce homocysteine.

When they’re available: 

  • Greenhouse: February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, and December
  • Field: July, August, September, and October

Carrots

Carrots are rich in carotenoids, which are powerful antioxidants that can combat free radicals that cause heart disease.

When they’re available: February, March, April, May,  July, August, September, October, November, and December

Garlic

Garlic contains phytochemicals that boost immunity and protect the heart against diseases.

When they’re available: February, July, August, September, October, November, and December

Onions

Onions are a rich source of sulphur-containing phytochemicals. These phytochemicals can reduce cholesterol levels, and therefore, prevent heart disease.

When they’re available: year round

If you’re interested in learning about other heart-healthy foods, check out our post on Ten Essential Foods For A Heart-Healthy Diet; And if you’d like to know when other fruits and vegetables are available, check out Foodland Ontario’s page.

What Can Affect Your Heart Health?

It seems quite simple how we go into maintaining our heart health. Everything ranging from eating a nutritious diet of whole foods and exercising regularly to reduce stress is steps we take for the benefit of our overall health. But how much do you really know about what’s bad for you?

Smoking

Although a more obvious one, it’s easy to tell yourself you’ll try it once at a social gathering or buy a pack when you’re going through the motions. Don’t start! It’s a quick and temporary fix, but it’s not easy to quit. The damage from smoking reaches beyond the lungs and into your arteries. Smoking also presents a higher risk of blood clots and lowers the supply of oxygen needed for all your vital organs to function properly.

Lack of sleep

Sleep is a luxury and you deserve it! It’s a critical time for your body and mind to heal. Inconsistent or poor sleep can result in high blood pressure, increase your risk of diabetes, and depression. If you’re snoring, it’s a red flag that could be linked to a variety of cardiac issues so make sure you’re seeking professional help.

Sitting for extended periods of time

Being inactive for a long time could cause poor blood circulation which could disrupt your focus at work. Try standing desks or take a quick walk break to get the blood flowing again.

Unhealthy snacking

Many of us have succumbed to indulging on salty chips and sugary cookies. The heavy calories and lack of nutrition in these foods will manifest over time if you overdo it, which is very easy to do. From increased cholesterol to straining your heart by making it work harder, it’s important to be aware of your lifestyle and food choices.

What things are you aware of that’s getting in the way of maintaining a healthy heart? Please share in the comments!



Don’t Feel Guilty – How Napping can Help Your Heart Health

We’ve all been there. You were out late last night with friends so you’re already feeling a little tired – on top of that you’ve just gotten home from running a bunch of errands. Why shouldn’t you take a few minutes to nap and rest up?

Unfortunately, many of us see napping as a lazy habit; and even if we don’t, there can be a feeling of guilt from others about how you’re taking time away from them or that you don’t “need” the extra rest, “You’re just being lazy.”

Although these associations of being lazy can be true if you nap every single day, new research from the University Hospital of Lausanne, Switzerland has recently published findings in Heart, indicating that there is a correlation between napping frequency, duration and the risk of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular disease complications. The researchers tracked 3,462 people between the ages of 35 and 75 for nearly eight years and found that those who napped once or twice a week, for between five minutes to an hour, were 48 percent less likely to have a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure, compared to non-nappers.

“Subjects who nap once or twice per week have a lower risk of incident CVD (cardiovascular disease) events, while no association was found for more frequent napping or napping duration,” the authors wrote.

Although this information was of interest to those of us who like to take a siesta once in a while, the study was an observational one. Meaning, that it only allowed researchers to identify patterns rather than determine a cause and effect. There will need to be further studying to determine if this can be beneficial.

So, for now, just enjoy a little nap here or there, while the research unfolds.



The Risk Vaping has on Your Heart

Maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle is a strong contributor to a long life. The habit of smoking, however, has been proven to cause heart disease and many cancers in Canadians, severely reducing one’s chances of longevity.

Smoking does this with the chemicals in the tobacco which can damage your heart and blood vessels, leading to narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis), which can ultimately lead to a heart attack. When it comes to heart disease prevention, no amount of smoking is safe.

Fortunately, smoking as a habit has greatly decreased in the past few decades among the Canadian population as it has been proven to cause many of the ailments we just mentioned. On the rise though is the habit of vaping, which like smoking, can allow users to inhale nicotine.

The Canadian Cancer Society has said the following about e-cigarettes, “Although e-cigarettes are less harmful than conventional cigarettes, they are harmful. Studies on the long-term risks of e-cigarettes have not yet been done, though evidence of the toxicity from inhalation of e-cigarette vapour continues to mount.”

This is a cause of concern for many health practitioners as there has recently been a proposal put forward by the Ontario government to have e-cigarettes and vaping supplies available in convenience stores across the province. This is a big issue as it takes them from the back behind the counter to the front in a display that can easily be seen by youth.

The Canadian Cancer Society reported that in 2016/17, nearly 10% of youth in grade 10-12 (9.9%) were past 30-day e-cigarette users, a 46% increase from 2014/15.

A further cause of concern has been the recent legalization of marijuana in Canada. Youth having access to a “vaporizer” that can be used for nicotine as well as marijuana, which can affect their brains development, is very concerning.

To help you understand the further risks of vaping and smoking, and ways that you can reduce these habits, we have provided the following helpful resources:

  • Canadian Cancer Society: They’re a helpful resource in understanding what e-cigarettes are and ways that you can reduce smoking in all its forms. Additionally, here is some information on their thoughts around cannabis.
  • Smokers Helpline: A site that is dedicated to helping smokers understand the benefits and negatives that can be attributed to smoking. It also has community forums for those who are in the process of quitting and resources to begin your first steps.
  • The Government of Canada: The government has created a site that allows you to connect with an organization in your province that provides resources on how to quit. They also have a toll free line that you can use to ask questions and talk to someone about quitting.
  • Break it off: Is a free mobile app that is dedicated to helping younger people quit smoking.
  • Leave the pack behind: Is a free resource from the Government of Ontario that offers young adults information on how to quit and personalized support.

If you found these resources to be helpful for you, or you have other helpful resources to suggest, please let us know on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.