CINCINNATI — Early last month, CPR was used to save the life of Buffalo Bills football player Damar Hamlin on the field in Cincinnati.
This month is Heart Health month and UC Health is sharing more about the skills they used to treat Hamlin that could save anyone’s life.
What You Need To Know
- UC Health doctors emphasize how critical it is to know how to perform effective CPR
- CPR is needed if someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally
- Chest compressions at a beat of 100 compressions a minute, or to the tune of 'Stayin Alive' can help save a life
- Damar Hamlin is challenging others to learn how to do CPR
It was a scary moment on the field in Cincinnati after Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest. Dr. Jason McMullan, with UC Health, was one of many first responders by Hamlin’s side within seconds. While Dr. McMullan can’t speak directly about Hamlin’s case, he says it’s critical to share the importance of quick and effective CPR.
“If you think about it, my heart is beating 100% of the time and if my heart stops beating for any bit, then I’m not circulation blood and oxygen to my brain and everything else," McMullan said. "So time is of the essence.”
“One hand over, one hand on top, lean over to lock your wrist and you’re just going to do CPR and save a life," McMullan showed.
Now, during Heart Health month, Hamlin is teaming up with the American Heart Association to challenge others to learn how to do CPR.
“As you know, CPR saved my life earlier this year on the field," Hamlin said in a video in partnership with the American Heart Association. "And CPR could easily save your life or someone you love. And that’s why I’m proud to announce that I’m partnering with the American Heart Association and kicking off Damar Hamlin’s three for heart CPR challenge.”
The challenge comprises watching a quick video on how to do effective chest compressions, donating as well as challenging others on social media. Hamlin’s medical team at UC took on the challenge.
For UC Health cardiologist Dr. Kelly Laipply, knowing more about heart health and CPR is critical, considering 350,000 people in the United States suffer cardiac arrest a year
“Heart disease is and will probably remain the number one killer in this country and worldwide," Dr. Laipply said. "It’s not going anywhere. And so the knowledge that people can have heart disease with minimal symptoms or with symptoms or suffer a cardiac arrest without warning means we all have to be aware that it’s a thing and common.”
While Hamlin had the best-case scenario, only 8-10% of people survive cardiac arrest, let alone make a recovery as remarkable as Hamlin. Dr. Laipply said everyone that comes to UC Health will receive the same level of care as Hamlin.
“I just want to be very clear that we deliver that level of care to everybody,” Laipply said. “So obviously we have fancy people, special people, come through, but it doesn’t matter who you are. If you suffer something like that, you’re going to get top-notch care here no matter what.”
One other tool to help someone that suffers cardiac arrest is the Pulse Point app- which can notify you if someone in the area needs CPR due to cardiac arrest and direct you to them to help.