FAQ - The Heart of Killarney

The Heart of Killarney

A Life Saver

What is a cardiac arrest?

A cardiac arrest means that the heart stops pumping blood through the body. Without a constant blood supply, the brain stops working almost immediately and the person goes unconscious.

Does a cardiac arrest only happen after a heart attack?

No. Anyone can have a cardiac arrest at any time. Heart attacks are only one potential cause of cardiac arrest.

AEDs are important because they strengthen the Chain of Survival. They can restore a normal heart rhythm in victims of sudden cardiac arrest. New, portable AEDs enable more people to respond to a medi…

What does AED stand for?

AED stands for Automated External Defibrillator.

What’s an AED?

An AED is a device used to administer an electric shock through the chest wall to the heart. Built-in computers assess the patient’s heart rhythm, judge whether defibrillation is needed, and the…

Is cardiac arrest the same thing as a heart attack?

No. A heart attack is caused by a sudden blockage of a small artery that supplies blood to the heart muscle. When the blood supply is cut off, that portion of the heart muscle dies and this is what ca…

Who can use an AED?

Most AEDs are designed for use by non-medical personnel such as police, flight attendants, security guards, and other lay rescuers who have been properly trained. Having more people in the community w…

How does an AED work?

A microprocessor inside the defibrillator interprets (analyzes) the victim’s heart rhythm through adhesive electrodes (some AED models require you to press an ANALYZE button). The computer analy…