Why Should I Choose an AED for my Home?

Types of Defibrillators:

There are multiple types of available defibrillators, which work in different ways and are effective in different conditions. Some defibrillators are easier to use, can be used by untrained bystanders and are lifesaving in case of a sudden cardiac arrest. Some others are more complex and are surgically implanted in the body.

• Automated external defibrillator (AED): AEDs are easy to operate, lightweight and portable devices, which check for and restore the normal heart rhythm, in case of a sudden cardiac arrest or arrhythmia like condition. This device utilizes sensors, attached to the chest of the patient, to detect abnormal heart rhythm. The computer, linked to the sensor, analyzes the rhythm and sends an electric shock to the patient through the electrodes. (6,7,8)

• Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD): ICDs, also known as automatic internal cardiac defibrillator (AICD), are surgically implanted in the body of the patient, at the risk of sudden death due to a known medical condition or with a medical history of ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia. An ICD can give a low energy or a high energy shock and can speed up or slow down the heart rate of a patient, in case of abnormal heartbeat. (6,7,8)

• Wearable cardiac defibrillator (WCD): WCDs are wearable devices and deliver low to high intensity shocks to the patients, at a lesser risk of sudden death. (6,7,8)

• Manual External Defibrillators: These Defibrillators, typically found in Hospitals, require extensive expertise and training. These involve manually measuring the cardiac rhythm and delivering the shock, when needed. (7, 10)

• Manual Internal Defibrillators: These Defibrillators are mostly found in operating rooms and manually deliver electric shocks on open chests. (7)

Why should you chose AED over other Defibrillators for your home?

Outside of a hospital, less than 10% of the US patients survive a cardiac attack, outside a hospital. In case of a sudden cardiac arrest, a medical help in first 10 minutes is extremely critical for the patient to survive. The usage of AED in first 5 minutes of the attack can increase the chances of survival from 6% to around 74%. A research study highlights that for every minute that passes without defibrillation, the chances of survival of the patient goes down by 7-10%.

AEDs, as compared to other defibrillators, can be found at shopping complexes, gyms, airports, community centers, hospitals and other government buildings. They are lightweight, portable and are available in the size of a large first aid kit, making them ideal for home use as well. 

AEDs typically come with detailed instructions, do not require any special training and are much easier to use. As per a recent research, which studied 49,555 out-of-hospital cardiac attacks in major U.S. and Canadian cities, untrained Bystanders were able to use an AED in 18.8% of cases, thereby increasing the chances of survival by 2.62 times.

AEDs can vastly improve survival rates and can lead to faster recovery in patients with cardiac arrests. However, around 64% of Americans have never seen an AED, even though they can make a huge difference to a patient's chances of survival. 

About The Myra Logan Heart Fund

AEDs save lives. Of the 424,000 cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests that happen annually in the United States, only 10% of victims survive. The chances of survival increase from 6% to 74% if an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is used to deliver shock therapy within three to five minutes of a heart attack, but tragically only a tiny fraction of cardiac arrest victims in the United States ever get the immediate help they need.

The Myra Logan Heart Fund’s mission is to get an AED into every home, office and school. Its purpose is to educate the public about the importance of AEDs, increase their accessibility, and empower people to save lives.