Cardiac arrest does not care how old you are. People have been saved using a MIKEY (AED), from infants to seniors.
Here are some of their stories …

Understanding what types of heart-healthy foods to incorporate into your diet can be a confusing process. There are many articles online stating that certain foods or diet fads can benefit you; but who’s to know what is real and what isn’t? Fortunately for us, our Registered Dietitian, Marsha Rosen, has curated a list of heart-healthy foods that are highly beneficial for your diet.

Your list of foods for a balanced diet should include a variety of choices from all food groups.

Here are some excellent suggestions to begin with and build on.

10 Heart-Healthy Foods

Salmon – Salmon and other fatty fish like mackerel, anchovies, sardines, herring, trout and arctic char; are extremely good for heart health as they contain plenty of omega-3 fats, which can help to lower the risk of heart disease. It’s recommended that you aim to eat at least 2 servings of fish a week.

There are three types of omega-3 fats:

  • ALA (alpha-linolenic acid)
  • EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
  • DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)

All three types of omega-3 fats are important to have in your diet.

Other foods that contain omega-3 fats include:

  • Eggs
  • Margarine enriched with the omega-3 fat DHA – made with fish oil
  • Yoghurt – fortified with Omega-3
  • Soy beverage – Omega-3 fortified
  • Soybeans – edamame

Oatmeal – Oatmeal is a high in soluble fibre, which can help to lower cholesterol. It’s recommended that you avoid eating instant oatmeal, as it often will contain sugar, and instead opting for traditional old-fashioned oats.

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.

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.

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.

Nuts – Any nuts that you consume are good for your heart fibre (As long as they’re not salted or contain added oils or fats), and also contain vitamin E, which helps to lower bad cholesterol.

Legumes – Legumes such as dried beans, peas and lentils, are an excellent source of protein without a lot of added fat.

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.

Flax seeds – Flax seeds as well as chia seeds are high in omega-3 fatty acids and fibre content.

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.

And finally:

When following these healthy food options, remember that those that are higher in fat – nuts, seeds, fatty fish, oils, even though they are heart-healthy fats, can work against you. How can that be?? If your portions of these foods are too large it can lead to unwanted weight gain which again will contribute to a less healthy you. Follow Canada’s Food Guide for suggested serving sizes.

We were just informed by one of our Mikey’s Kids families in Alberta, that their 1 year old foster child went into cardiac arrest last week, and they needed to use their MIKEY AED to revive them. The foster mom had the presence of mind to administer the pads within 20 seconds, and one shock brought the child back.

We are so grateful a MIKEY was available when this child needed it most, and that this mother was there to use it. This is the second infant in our Mikey’s Kids program to be saved with a MIKEY AED and a reminder that cardiac arrest can happen at any age.

We’ve just received the amazing news that another life has been saved with a MIKEY AED we placed.

A male in his 50s went into cardiac arrest at the Greystone Racquet Club, in Waterloo, ON. Some members at the club quickly went into action starting CPR. A member that happened to be a chiropractor, applied the MIKEY and the patient was revived. EMS arrived within 5 minutes and was able to safely transport the patient to hospital. We are told the man is in good health and doing well.

This MIKEY was placed in 2007 and we are so grateful it was available when it was needed most.

senior saved by MIKEY defibrillator

We’ve just heard the amazing news that another life has been saved using a MIKEY (AED) that we placed. 

This MIKEY was given to the Scarborough Seniors Slow-pitch baseball league back 2012. We were informed that the defibrillator was used on July 23 to save a 63 year old gentleman suffering cardiac arrest. We will share more details if they become available but we are told that he is recovering and doing well.

This is the 42nd life that we know of that has been saved by a MIKEY. We could not be more thankful that it was available when needed. News like this is exactly why we started The Mikey Network and a reminder of just how important these amazing devices are.

We’re happy to announce that another MIKEY has been used to save someone’s life! This unit was placed through the ‘Remember Griffin’ Campaign.

The Remember Griffin Campaign stems from a young boy named Griffin Martin who suffered cardiac arrest during recess in Orleans Wood Elementary school, in Ottawa, in 2017. Griffin’s family wanted to raise money to place defibrillators in all Ottawa elementary schools. Together we were able to raise enough money and awareness to achieve that goal.

On February 22, during a basketball game at Avalon Public School in Orleans, a young 16-year old boy went into cardiac arrest and his life was saved with one of their recently placed MIKEY defibrillators. The coach on scene, Chris Waycott, began CPR while a parent grabbed the AED, and someone called 911. After the electrodes were attached to the boy’s chest, the MIKEY advised them to move away as the defibrillator applied the shock. The boy’s heart started beating again, and shortly after the paramedics arrived.

According to the mother of the 16 year old boy,

“I’m extremely grateful to the school boards for equipping their gyms with defibrillators. I believe it made a difference for my son,” she wrote.”I’m encouraging more public institutions to get defibrillators.”

We are so happy to be a part of something so incredible, and to have worked closely with the Griffin family to help raise money to implement AEDs in these Ottawa schools.

A big thank you goes out to the real heroes who took part in helping to save this boy, giving him a second chance at life.

Read the full details about this save:

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/coach-credits-training-advance-planning-for-defibrillator-save-of-teenage-basketball-player

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/teen-heart-school-aed-defibrillator-1.5043962