Cardiac Arrest in Assisted Living Centers
Cardiac arrest is the sudden loss of heart beat and heart function in a person. In most cases, the victim of cardiac arrest could have been previously diagnosed with heart disease, which is often a cause of cardiac arrest. Heart disease is the number one cause of death according to the American Heart Association. Sudden cardiac arrest can cause a fatality within minutes of symptoms and signs appearing.
For individuals living in assisted living centers, the danger of cardiac arrest is often heightened especially if they are unable to call for help when they need it or if they are physically unable to get around. If this is the case, these individuals rely on the staff members of assisted living centers to monitor their condition to make sure that sudden cardiac arrest does not occur. Unfortunately, this type of negligence could occur, causing a fatality. There are many ways to prevent any danger for your loved ones while they are living in an assisted living center.
Cardiac arrest is often the direct result of heart disease. Heart disease has many causes and symptoms associated with it. Being aware of these symptoms and causes can drastically increase ability to assist individuals who suffer from heart disease and are susceptible to cardiac arrest as a result. These symptoms and causes include:
Symptoms of Heart Disease
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular heart beats
- A faster heartbeat
- Weakness or dizziness
- Nausea
- Sweating
Causes of Heart Disease
- High blood pressure
- High blood cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Obesity and being overweight
- Smoking
- Physical Inactivity
Your loved ones should never have to face any danger of cardiac arrest while living in an assisted living center. Unfortunately negligence does occur. However, by being aware of the causes and the symptoms of heart disease and cardiac arrest, you can assist in the prevention of cardiac arrest for your loved ones. One other way to prevent any danger of cardiac arrest is to ensure that the facility they are living in is keeping up with any treatments necessary for your loved one’s health.
Some of these treatments include heart medication such as nitroglycerine, oxygen through a mask or tube, pain medication or aspirin. In some cases, heart surgery may need to be performed, in which case, care giving during recover is of the utmost importance for the individual’s health.
Contact an Arizona Nursing Home Advocate Attorney
Heart disease and cardiac arrest are very serious diseases that should never go untreated for any reason, especially due to negligence from assisted living centers preventing your loved ones from receiving treatment. Your loved ones should not have to be victimized by staff members or anybody else in an assisted living center. Each resident has rights in the Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, and Tempe Area and an Arizona Attorney can help your family look into collecting damages for their emotional and physical suffering due to sexual abuse. For more information about sexual abuse in assisted living centers, visit www.nursinghomeadvocates.com for an Attorney near you.
