Media Advisory

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Monday, February 13, 2012

What:

There will be plenty of heart thumping this Valentine's Day—and with good reason, as emergency medical staff and HeartSafe Community Partners set out to teach CPR and ask the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors to share a heartfelt message that could save lives. The Emergency Medical Services Division of Contra Costa Health Services will teach Hands Only CPR and distribute new materials about cardiovascular emergencies on Valentine's Day to raise awareness about one of the top killers in the county. The demonstration is part of the Division's ongoing HeartSafe Community campaign, which urges people to Act in Time when they witness a heart emergency, such as heart attack, stroke or sudden cardiac arrest.

Who

The demonstration is free and open to the public.

Where

8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 14 at 651 Pine Street, Martinez

Why

Heart disease killed roughly 5,000 people in Contra Costa from 2005-2007. Recognizing the signs of these emergencies and knowing what to do could save a life when minutes mean life or death. Cardiac events can rapidly destroy heart muscle or brain tissue, according to Contra Costa health officials. The HeartSafe Community campaign, which launched in 2009, recognizes communities that meet criteria to improve cardiovascular health and decrease death and disability associated with heart disease. Since the campaign began, bystander initiated CPR rose from 28.4% in 2009 to 41.7% so far this year.

To find out more about the HeartSafe Community campaign or to download materials, visit www.cchealth.org/ems/heartsafe.php

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