Heart palpitation

Heart Massage

A Heart Massage or Cardiac Massage is a life-saving procedure that is often used in emergency medical situations, such as a cardiac arrest. It is a component of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and is designed to manually preserve intact brain function until further measures are taken to restore spontaneous blood circulation and breathing in a person who is in cardiac arrest.

Procedure

The procedure involves the rhythmic compression of the chest of a person who has suffered a cardiac arrest, with the goal of creating artificial circulation by manually pumping blood through the heart. The rescuer uses their hands to exert a specified amount of pressure at a certain rate, typically at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute.

Techniques

There are two main techniques for performing a heart massage: the chest compression method and the open-heart massage method. The chest compression method is the most commonly used technique in CPR, while the open-heart massage is typically only used in a hospital setting during surgery or in extreme cases.

Effectiveness

The effectiveness of a heart massage can be influenced by several factors, including the technique used, the timing of the intervention, and the underlying cause of the cardiac arrest. Studies have shown that immediate CPR can double or even triple a person's chance of survival after cardiac arrest.

Training and Certification

Training and certification in CPR, including heart massage, is available through many organizations, such as the American Heart Association and the Red Cross. These organizations offer courses for both healthcare professionals and the general public.

See Also

• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
• Defibrillation
• Emergency Medicine
• Cardiac Arrest

References

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