Establishment of the American Heart Association (AHA) Cardiovascular Emergency Training Center was officially announced on July 20 after the first classes were completed at Zhuhai People's (Renmin) Hospital in Old Xiangzhou.

Basic life support (BLS) and advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS) courses were taught during the inaugural training session, held from July 9 to 20. Thirty BLS and 18 ACLS certificates were awarded and six medical staff members acquired instructor cards.

Once training equipment has been completely stocked and the faculty team has improved, teaching programs will be available for all medical personnel in the city, according to a person in charge at Zhuhai People's Hospital.

Signing and plaque award

AHA's latest CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) recommendations, including updates for CPR and ECC (emergency cardiovascular care) training courses are closely followed globally.

Heart disease is the Number 1 cause of death worldwide, and stroke ranks second globally. Even when those conditions don't result in death, they reportedly can cause disabilities and diminish a person’s quality of life.

The AHA is the oldest and largest voluntary non-profit organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke in the United States. It is the early advocator of CPR, an emergency lifesaving procedure performed when the heart stops beating.

First put forward in 1960, CPR was soon adopted in the US and other developed countries. Researchers have found that immediate CPR can double or triple one's chances of survival after experiencing cardiac arrest. 

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation training [Photos by Zhao Zi / Zhuhai Daily]