Drones and AEDs

Drones could soon be dropping off packages at customers' doors. But researchers in Sweden have drones in mind for a different, potentially lifesaving delivery: automated external defibrillators.

Using drones to carry AEDs to people who are in cardiac arrest could reduce the time between when patients go into cardiac arrest and when they receive the first shock from an AED, the researchers say.

The more time a person spends in cardiac arrest before being shocked with an AED, the lower the chance of survival. Shocking someone within three minutes gives them the best shot.

More than 350,000 cardiac arrests happen across the U.S. in places other than hospitals each year, according to the American Heart Association — and a person's chance of surviving is about 1 in 10. Drone-delivered AEDs beat ambulance trip times to the scenes of cardiac arrests, the researchers say in a letter published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Dr. Michael Kurz, an associate professor of emergency medicine at the University of Alabama-Birmingham and an American Heart Association volunteer, sees the potential for AED-carrying drones to help save lives. He says this is the first time he has seen published data on the use of drones to deliver AEDs.

"This is a really neat, innovative method to combat a problem that we have been struggling with for decades," says Kurz. "It's the same reason we have public access to defibrillation. Airports, casinos, large public venues have AEDs on the wall because presumably, it would take a while for EMS to get there. This is, like, public-access defibrillation on steroids, where we just bring the defibrillator to you."

The researchers used drones to deliver AEDs to places in a rural area of Sweden where people had gone into cardiac arrest between 2006 and 2014, says Stockholm-based Andreas Claesson, the letter's lead author as well as a paramedic and registered nurse.

In each of the 18 flights that the drones made, they beat the ambulance time. The median reduction in response time was about 16 1/2 minutes. And the median time from dispatch to drone launch was three seconds, while it took emergency medical services a median time of three minutes to hit the road.

Even though there wouldn't necessarily be a medical professional on-site when a drone bearing an AED arrives, dispatchers could coach people through the process of using it.

Andreas Claesson/Courtesy of FlyPulse

Claesson says the idea to use drones to drop off AEDs came from an analysis that showed some people in rural Sweden had to wait about half an hour for EMS to arrive on the scene of an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest situation, leading to a survival rate was 0 percent, which he calls "catastrophic."

The team used geographic information system mapping to pinpoint locations that would be most effective for the test flights, Claesson says, and drafted predefined flight corridors that avoided flying over residents' homes until the drones were about to land in yards.

But more research needs to be done before we start seeing AED-laden drones touching down at cardiac arrest scenes. "We know nothing about bystander interaction," says Claesson.

One of his concerns: Sending an AED via drone means that there won't necessarily be a medical professional on-site.

The typical cardiac arrest patient is a 70-year-old man, he says, which means spouses — who may not be trained how to use an AED — would most likely be the ones using it in an emergency situation. But dispatchers could help coach people through the process of using an AED, Claesson says.

"We know that health care professional CPR is better than layman [CPR]. But we still believe that if we can deliver a defibrillator within five minutes, the proportion of people with shockable rhythms could be pretty high," Claesson says.

AEDs have simple enough instructions that allow just about anyone to figure out how to use them effectively, says Kurz, whose daughter has a congenital heart disease and is in fourth grade.

"They're fourth-graders, so there's a certain amount of corralling that has to occur, but yeah, they do great," Kurz says.He taught 400 of her classmates how to do CPR and use AEDs this year.

Are you as AED-capable as a fourth-grader? The Red Cross has a step-by-step guide to using an AED.

Claesson is planning a follow-up drone trial in Sweden next summer, when the local emergency medical services receive the most calls.

Kurz says future studies should go beyond analyzing response times and also examine patient survival rates.

"Now the idea of doing this in real life with real patients, when minutes matter, can be demonstrated."

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The ASHI Child and Babysitting Safety (CABS) training program is designed to focus on supervising, caring for and keeping children and infants safe in babysitting settings. The program provides fundamental information in the business of babysitting, proper supervision, basic care-giving skills and responding properly to ill or injured children or infants.

Young people (11 to 15 years old) who are interested in providing babysitting services.

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Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement

Weather Updated: Jan 23 11:23AM

Issued by the National Weather Service

For Northwestern Burlington, New Jersey

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT UNTIL 12PM EST TUE ...A LINE OF SHOWERS WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN OCEAN...NORTHWESTERN CAMDEN...EAST CENTRAL WARREN...MERCER...SOMERSET...MORRIS... HUNTERDON...SOUTH CENTRAL SUSSEX...NORTHWESTERN BURLINGTON... SOUTHWESTERN MONMOUTH...MIDDLESEX...SOUTHEASTERN MONTGOMERY... SOUTHEASTERN BUCKS...PHILADELPHIA AND NORTHEASTERN DELAWARE COUNTIES... AT 1121 AM EST, RADAR INDICATED SHOWERS WERE LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM ANDOVER TO CHESTNUT HILL. MOVEMENT WAS EAST AT 30 MPH. WINDS UP TO 40 MPH HAVE BEEN OBSERVED WITH THESE SHOWERS. LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... PHILADELPHIA, TRENTON, CAMDEN, NEW BRUNSWICK, MORRISTOWN, SOMERVILLE, NEWTON, SOMERSET, EDISON, CHERRY HILL, OLD BRIDGE, BENSALEM, EAST BRUNSWICK, EVESHAM, BRIDGEWATER, SOUTH BRUNSWICK, MOUNT LAUREL, NORTH BRUNSWICK, EWING AND WILLINGBORO.

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Learn cpr

Facts about CPRSudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death in adults. Most arrests occur in persons with underlying heart disease. CPR doubles a person's chance of survival from sudden cardiac arrest. 75% of all cardiac arrests happen in people's homes. The typical victim of cardiac arrest is a man in his early 60's and a woman in her late 60's. Cardiac arrest occurs twice as frequently in men compared to women. CPR was invented in 1960 There has never been a case of HIV transmitted by mouth-to-mouth CPR. In sudden cardiac arrest the heart goes from a normal heartbeat to a quivering rhythm called ventricular fibrillation (VF). This happens in approximately 2/3rds of all cardiac arrests. VF is fatal unless an electric shock, called defibrillation, can be given. CPR does not stop VF but CPR extends the window of time in which defibrillation can be effective. CPR provides a trickle of oxygenated blood to the brain and heart and keeps these organs alive until defibrillation can shock the heart into a normal rhythm.If CPR is started within 4 minutes of collapse and defibrillation provided within 10 minutes a person has a 40% chance of survival. www.necprclass.com

15 Things to Have in Your Car This Winter

Blankets are the most important thing you can possibly have with you. If you bury your car in a snowdrift and it won’t start, the ability to keep yourself warm is going to be absolutely vital. Blankets are the best way to do this. I also keep a few hand warmers, too.

A spare charged cell phone will allow you to call 9-1-1 in a pinch. Keep this wrapped up in the blankets so that it’ll be likely to survive a crash without suffering irrepairable damage.

Flares will help rescuers see you. If they’re searching and all they can see is white, a flare will make all the difference in your discovery.

A wind-up radio lets you keep tab with the weather regardless of whether or not you have electricity in your car. A simple winding will do the trick and let you know when conditions have improved and what the state of roads are.

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A first aid kit will be vital if someone is hurt in an accident. Perhaps just as important is knowledge of how to use it, because knowing how to apply a leg splint can be very, very important in such a moment.

Extra winter clothes will help you keep warm, especially if you need to leave the vehicle. Layers are key – the more layers of clothes you can put on, the warmer you’ll be down at the surface of your skin.

Jumper cables come in extraordinarily handy on cold mornings when your car doesn’t start. Quite often, it’s the result of a battery that became overly cold overnight and can be started with the help of another vehicle and some jumper cables.

A bag of sand not only adds weight to your car (improving traction) but can be spread to help you get traction if you get stuck in a bad position.

An ice scraper – preferably one with a brush to help remove snow – comes in constant handy throughout the winter. Without it, it will be very difficult to keep your windows cleared.

Dried foods like beef jerky and granola bars are perfect for this type of situation, as they’re energy dense. Don’t keep water or other liquids in your car – they’ll explode if stored below freezing for a long period and you can likely get plenty of liquid in a blizzard – just look outside.

Emergency tire sealant can enable you to get to the next twon in a pinch rather than being stuck beside the road with a flat tire.

Flashlights allow you to see what’s going on and also aid in signaling help. Although flashlights operated by human action exist, they’re not very bright – get one with a very bright bulb and make sure it’s charged.

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A shovel will help you to dig out in a pinch. I used to keep one in my truck when I commuted – there simply isn’t room in the car, however (I wish we did have room).

A small tool kit can allow you to fix minor problems yourself on your car. Make sure you have everything you need to (at least) change a tire and loosen or tighten some bolts.

Extra batteries for the flashlight and the radio (assuning you don’t have a wind-up one) are vital. The last thing you want to do is to get stuck, pull out the radio or the flashlight, flip ’em on, and find that they don’t work.

These tools will help you survive almost any winter weather accident, no matter how bad the storm. By keeping warm and safe and making sure that you can signal to help, you’re doing everything you can to ensure your future.

Stay healthy in winter

Now that we're heading into the season when colds, flu, stomach bugs, and other infections can run rampant, it’s an ideal time to review strategies that can help us stay healthy this winter.

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Picking up the germs that cause these infections is as easy as touching a contaminated person or surface and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. That's something we do an average of 15.7 times an hour, according to a study at University of California, Berkeley.

Frequent hand-washing is the leading expert-recommended infection-prevention strategy. But a few additional steps can also help you stay healthy this winter. Here, a quick rundown of the other strategies everyone should adopt and how to keep your germs to yourself if you do get sick:

1. Use the Right Soap

You can skip the antibacterial stuff—which has ingredients such as triclosan, which was recently banned by the Food and Drug Administration. The agency declared that there’s no evidence antibacterial soap eradicates bacteria any better than regular soap, and it may contribute to the rise in antibiotic-resistant superbugs as well as disruptions in hormonal regulation.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends scrubbing with basic soap and water for a full 20 seconds to reduce the number of bacteria or viruses you may have picked up on your hands. 

2. Avoid the Handshake

It’s becoming more common—and less socially awkward—to skip hand-to-hand contact (and the subsequent germ exchange) during cold and flu season.

“Fist bumps and elbow bumps are replacing the handshake in many settings,” says William Schaffner, M.D., professor of preventive medicine and infectious disease at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn. “Among my infectious-disease colleagues I see a version of the South Asian ‘Namaste,’ where we put our hands together at our chests, make eye contact, and give a little bow.”  

3. Cover Coughs and Sneezes Properly

If you’re the one who’s spewing germs, one way to keep them to yourself is to sneeze or cough into the crook of your elbow. “When you cough or sneeze, that air comes out with a good degree of force, spreading virus particles to anyone within a 3- to 6-foot range,” says Lisa Grohskopf, M.D., a medical officer in the Influenza Division at the CDC.

Sneezing or coughing into your hand will help keep the germs from going airborne, but if you don’t wash your hands immediately, you’ll spread the germs the minute you touch anything or anyone.  

4. Keep Your Distance

Respiratory viruses, like colds and flu, can spread easily through the air. “When someone who’s sick exhales, they breathe out microscopic droplets of fluid containing the virus,” Schaffner says. “And anyone else within their ‘breathing zone’ can then breathe in that infected air.”

To stay healthy this winter, put about 6 feet between you and any sick person who is likely to breathe, cough, or sneeze in your direction.  

5. Know That Germs Can Linger

Another reason to wash your hands frequently is that surfaces stay germy for longer than you might think. A study from the University of Buffalo found that stuffed toys, books, and cribs at a day care tested positive for bacteria that cause ear infections and strep throat even after the facility had been closed overnight.

And according to the CDC, flu viruses can live on hard surfaces (such as doorknobs or phones) for 2 to 8 hours.

A 2013 article published in the American Journal of Infection Control noted that the bug that causes norovirus—an extremely contagious viral infection that brings diarrhea and vomiting—can survive for up to seven days on a hard, dry surface. It also found that the bacteria that cause MRSA—a type of staph infection— have been found to survive for months. Even cold germs can live for anywhere from two hours to seven days on hard surfaces, and for about two hours on skin.  

6. Clean Often-Touched Surfaces

Because those bacteria and viruses stick around on surfaces for hours or even days, cleaning is key. “I recommend an approach called 'targeted hygiene,'” says Elizabeth Scott, Ph.D., co-director of the Simmons Center for Hygiene and Health in Home and Community at Simmons College in Boston, and co-author of the 2013 study. “This means targeting cleaning and disinfection practices when and where there is a risk of infection transmission."

Say, for example, that a coworker or family has a respiratory infection. At the office, it would be wise to regularly (at least daily) wipe down shared workspaces and equipment, such as copy machines that everyone in the office touches. At home, focus on hard surfaces—like doorknobs, faucets, and TV remotes—on which bacteria live the longest.

Just as with hand-washing, you can skip the antibacterial cleaning products. Experts say any household cleaner—or a diluted bleach solution—will do the trick.  

7. Get Vaccinated

Although there's no guaranteed protection against influenza, the annual flu vaccine is still your best defense. Experts can’t predict the effectiveness of this year’s vaccine, but for 2016, getting the shot resulted in a 42 percent lower risk of coming down with the flu.

“And if you do get sick, you may have milder symptoms,” Grohskopf says. It takes two weeks after the shot for your immune system to build up the necessary, protective antibodies, so going for you vaccine in the fall—before flu activity ramps up—is ideal. 

8. Know When to Stay Home

“At the height of your symptoms, you need to stay home for one or two days in order to not get other people sick,” says Aaron E. Glatt, M.D., chairman of the department of medicine at South Nassau Communities Hospital in Oceanside, N.Y.

And while you’re home recovering, take precautions to help the rest of the household stay healthy this winter. Don’t take charge of the family’s food prep while you’re sick, and try to hole up in one room as much as possible in order to keep your germs to yourself.  

Winter storm 1-4- 18

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT UNTIL 5PM EST THU ...HEAVY SNOW WITH BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW CONTINUES... AT 300 PM, BANDS OF LIGHT TO MODERATE SNOW WERE LOCATED FROM MORRIS, SOMERSET, AND MERCER COUNTIES SOUTHWARD ACROSS SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY AS WELL. THIS SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO SHIFT EASTWARD THROUGH THE AFTERNOON. SNOWFALL RATES IN THESE BANDS ARE EXPECTED TO BE AROUND 1 INCH PER HOUR. THE COMBINATION OF HEAVY SNOW AND STRONG WINDS CONTINUE TO RESULT IN CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, TREACHEROUS ROAD CONDITIONS AND VISIBILITY IN MANY PLACES REDUCED TO ONE QUARTER MILE OR LESS. NORTH TO NORTHWEST WINDS WILL CONTINUE TO GUST 40 TO 50 MPH WITH THE HIGHER GUSTS ALONG THE SHORE. THE SNOW IS EXPECTED TO TAPER OFF LATER THIS AFTERNOON. TRAVEL WILL CONTINUE TO BE SEVERELY IMPACTED DUE TO THE COMBINATION OF HEAVY SNOW, STRONG WINDS AND SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED VISIBILITIES. UNNECESSARY TRAVEL IS HIGHLY DISCOURAGED ESPECIALLY IN THE COASTAL COUNTIES.

Special Weather Statement

For Northwestern Burlington

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT UNTIL 3PM EST THU ...MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW WITH BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW CONTINUES... AT 130 PM, BANDS OF MODERATE TO OCCASIONALLY HEAVY SNOW WERE LOCATED ACROSS SOMERSET, MERCER, CAMDEN, BURLINGTON, ATLANTIC, AND CAPE MAY COUNTIES. THESE BANDS WILL CONTINUE TO SHIFT EASTWARD THROUGH THE AFTERNOON. SNOWFALL RATES WITHIN THESE BANDS ARE EXPECTED TO BE 1 TO 2 INCHES PER HOUR. THE COMBINATION OF MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW AND STRONG WINDS CONTINUE TO RESULT IN CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, TREACHEROUS ROAD CONDITIONS AND VISIBILITY IN MANY PLACES REDUCED TO ONE QUARTER MILE OR LESS. NORTH TO NORTHWEST WINDS WILL CONTINUE TO GUST 40 TO 50 MPH WITH THE HIGHER GUSTS ALONG THE SHORE. THE SNOW IS EXPECTED TO TAPER OFF LATER THIS AFTERNOON. TRAVEL WILL CONTINUE TO BE SEVERELY IMPACTED DUE TO THE COMBINATION OF HEAVY SNOW, STRONG WINDS AND SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED VISIBILITIES. UNNECESSARY TRAVEL IS HIGHLY DISCOURAGED ESPECIALLY IN THE COASTAL COUNTIES.

Weed and the Heart

In 28 states in this country, you can legally use marijuana for a range of health problems, including chronic pain, anxiety, and nausea. Smoking is the fastest way to feel the effects of marijuana, which is derived from the Cannabis sativa plant. Yet marijuana smoke contains many of the same toxins, irritants, and carcinogens found in cigarette smoke — a known contributor to heart disease as well as cancer.

necprclass.com

Marijuana cultivation and use dates back some 6,000 years. However, the cardiovascular and other health effects of cannabis aren't well studied. That's partly because under federal law, cannabis is a Schedule I substance, meaning it has "no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse." That designation places numerous restrictions on researchers, making it difficult to carry out rigorous research on marijuana.

"As a result, everything we're told about what marijuana does or doesn't do should be viewed with a certain amount of caution. This holds equally true for the risks as well as the benefits," says Dr. Kenneth Mukamal, associate professor of medicine at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Pot and pain

Some of the strongest evidence supporting the medical use of marijuana is for managing chronic pain. Cannabinoid compounds (see "Cannabis 101") interact with receptors in nerve cells to slow down pain impulses and ease discomfort. Cannabinoids also have been shown to be effective in quelling nausea and vomiting. In addition, marijuana is a powerful appetite inducer. The combination of these attributes makes marijuana a therapeutic option for people coping with the side effects of chemotherapy and others who are in danger of unintended weight loss. However, in conditions where gaining extra weight might exacerbate existing health problems, such as diabetes, appetite stimulation would be counterproductive.

Cardiovascular effects

One of the few things scientists know for sure about marijuana and cardiovascular health is that people with established heart disease who are under stress develop chest pain more quickly if they have been smoking marijuana than they would have otherwise. This is because of complex effects cannabinoids have on the cardiovascular system, including raising resting heart rate, dilating blood vessels, and making the heart pump harder. Research suggests that the risk of heart attack is several times higher in the hour after smoking marijuana than it would be normally. While this does not pose a significant threat to people who have minimal cardiovascular risk, it should be a red flag for anyone with a history of heart disease. Although the evidence is weaker, there are also links to a higher risk of atrial fibrillation or ischemic stroke immediately following marijuana use. Consistent with these links, studies by Dr. Mukamal and colleagues also suggest that marijuana smoking may increase the long-term death rate among heart attack survivors.

Questions remain

Most of the evidence linking marijuana to heart attack and stroke is based on reports from people who smoked it. So it's hard to separate the effects of cannabinoid compounds on the cardiovascular system from the hazards posed by the irritants and carcinogens contained in the smoke. Because cannabis smoke is known to cause airway inflammation, wheezing, and chest tightness, people with lung diseases should not smoke it. Other people who should just say no to marijuana include those who may be vulnerable to developing schizophrenia or addiction.

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  Grim tool kits are some of the smallest tool kits ever created.  Designed and produced in the U.S.A Grim tools are all made of surgical grade stainless steel, and are all reusable.  Simply remove your tool of choice and once finished place it back in its original position with our patent pending tool retention system. All the tools you would find in a full sized survival kit have been slimmed down thinner than a credit card (under 1mm thick) yet conveniently sized the same as a standard credit card for easy storage. Grim tools are made to to fit into thousands of convenient places like your wallet, pocket, keychain, or necklace. Grim survival tools can even be permanently adhered to any flat surface allowing you even more storage options making Grim Survival tools some of the smallest and  most space efficient survival tools ever created. We were tired of seeing the big heavy emergency and bug out bags, and we decided to provide a solution to that. All of the convenience you could hope for in a full size backpack of emergency gear, none of the big bags or weight.Wherever you are, wh

We are an approved American Health and Safety Institute (ASHI) Training Center.

We are an approved American Health and Safety Institute (ASHI) Training Center.

They offer VERY SIMILAR programs that most of our instructors have embraced, especially our clients. The ASHI programs are recognized by OSHA,PEOSH, NJDOH, etc. and are another option when teaching Heartsaver Programs. They are a fully accredited program and are gaining substantial ground in the US especially for CPR and First Aid training. They offer other courses as well, such as: Baby-Sitting, Oxygen Delivery, Advanced First Aid, etc. and can help you expand upon your menu of courses.

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New years eve safety

Drinking: While this goes under the “common sense” rule, it still must be said, DON’T SIT YOUR DRINK DOWN ANYWHERE! A lot of times people are to trusting within their surrounding and tend to put their drink down where anyone can get to it, keep your drink with you. Even if you have to go to the bathroom, either take it with your or give it to a close friend of yours. Whatever you do, don’t leave your drink at a table and then come back to it. While New Year’s Eve is super fun it’s also super dangerous when it comes to someone spiking your drink while it’s unattended. When you are popping champagne bottles, aim the cork away from people. This may sound funny, however; it’s a serious issue, it’s all fun and games until someone loses an eye!

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Driving: Whatever you do this New Year’s Eve, DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE! Even if you’ve had only a couple of drinks, have a designated driver to drive you around. You many think that you’re not that “buzzed up”, however you’re wrong! To avoid problems with accidents and the law, have someone “sober” drive for you. This doesn’t count if your designated driver had drinks along with you; make sure your driver is alcohol free for the night.

Public Events: Being that it’s New Year’s Eve I’m sure you’re going to want to attend all of the parties and New Year’s festivities. When attending these events, beware of your surroundings at all times! This is extremely important since you may be drinking around tons of people you don’t know in a place you’ve probably never been. Never go to these types of places by yourself. This doesn’t just go for women it also goes for men! When at public events make sure you have a communication device such as cell phone or laptop just in case anything negative occurs. Be prepared!

No Fireworks or Guns: This will be enforced to the fullest by law enforcement when it comes to New Year’s Eve festivities. If you are going to engage in fireworks, leave it up to the professionals. If you are caught with fireworks this New Year’s Eve, it may be more than just a fine; it may possibly lead to jail time!

Friends: If you plan on going anywhere for the New Year’s Eve holiday, take friends with you! When going to any type of party or function, don’t go alone! This is really important when it comes to females going out, always stay in groups!

Pet Safety: Nothing frightens pet’s more than sudden loud noises. Extra attention must be given so your pets won’t run away in a panic. Scared, running pets can be hit by cars, cause accidents, and become lost...not to mention, frequently bite people.

Other tips for your New Year’s Celebration include:

• Make sure all fences and gates are secure.
• Make sure your pet has its ID or dog license, come down and microchip NOW, if you already have a microchip make sure it is current.
• Ask your veterinarian for tranquilizers if your animal has shown signs of extreme uneasiness in the past.
• Keep your pets INSIDE, in a comfortable room, with comforting music playing to drowned out scary noises.

Marijuana/Heart

In 28 states in this country, you can legally use marijuana for a range of health problems, including chronic pain, anxiety, and nausea. Smoking is the fastest way to feel the effects of marijuana, which is derived from the Cannabis sativa plant. Yet marijuana smoke contains many of the same toxins, irritants, and carcinogens found in cigarette smoke — a known contributor to heart disease as well as cancer.

necprclass.com

Marijuana cultivation and use dates back some 6,000 years. However, the cardiovascular and other health effects of cannabis aren't well studied. That's partly because under federal law, cannabis is a Schedule I substance, meaning it has "no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse." That designation places numerous restrictions on researchers, making it difficult to carry out rigorous research on marijuana.

"As a result, everything we're told about what marijuana does or doesn't do should be viewed with a certain amount of caution. This holds equally true for the risks as well as the benefits," says Dr. Kenneth Mukamal, associate professor of medicine at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Pot and pain

Some of the strongest evidence supporting the medical use of marijuana is for managing chronic pain. Cannabinoid compounds (see "Cannabis 101") interact with receptors in nerve cells to slow down pain impulses and ease discomfort. Cannabinoids also have been shown to be effective in quelling nausea and vomiting. In addition, marijuana is a powerful appetite inducer. The combination of these attributes makes marijuana a therapeutic option for people coping with the side effects of chemotherapy and others who are in danger of unintended weight loss. However, in conditions where gaining extra weight might exacerbate existing health problems, such as diabetes, appetite stimulation would be counterproductive.

Cardiovascular effects

One of the few things scientists know for sure about marijuana and cardiovascular health is that people with established heart disease who are under stress develop chest pain more quickly if they have been smoking marijuana than they would have otherwise. This is because of complex effects cannabinoids have on the cardiovascular system, including raising resting heart rate, dilating blood vessels, and making the heart pump harder. Research suggests that the risk of heart attack is several times higher in the hour after smoking marijuana than it would be normally. While this does not pose a significant threat to people who have minimal cardiovascular risk, it should be a red flag for anyone with a history of heart disease. Although the evidence is weaker, there are also links to a higher risk of atrial fibrillation or ischemic stroke immediately following marijuana use. Consistent with these links, studies by Dr. Mukamal and colleagues also suggest that marijuana smoking may increase the long-term death rate among heart attack survivors.

Questions remain

Most of the evidence linking marijuana to heart attack and stroke is based on reports from people who smoked it. So it's hard to separate the effects of cannabinoid compounds on the cardiovascular system from the hazards posed by the irritants and carcinogens contained in the smoke. Because cannabis smoke is known to cause airway inflammation, wheezing, and chest tightness, people with lung diseases should not smoke it. Other people who should just say no to marijuana include those who may be vulnerable to developing schizophrenia or addiction.

Winter is a time when household fires occur. It is a good time to remember to

Fire Protection

Winter is a time when household fires occur. It is a good time to remember to:

• Buy and install smoke alarms on every floor of your home
• Test smoke alarms monthly
• Practice fire drills with your children
• Install a carbon monoxide detector outside bedrooms
• Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that could burn, and turn them off when leaving the room or sleeping.

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Take a Class— Save a Life!

Take a Class— Save a Life!

Every year, more than 250,000 people die from a sudden heart attack while working, playing, shopping or spending time at home. The numbers are staggering. Would you know what to do if a friend, loved one or colleague was struggling to breathe, or even worse, unconscious and not breathing at all?

In these situations, every second counts. Knowing CPR could help you keep a person alive during the critical minutes before medical professionals arrive on the scene. That’s why it’s so important for EVERYONE—from novices to medical professionals—to learn CPR. As an American Heart Association® (AHA) Training Center, we are dedicated to strengthening the chain of survival by bringing an array of CPR and first-aid training classes to our community.

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