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N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – A community-led initiative in Jamestown is hoping to prepare the entire community to be ready to aid anyone in need of assistance in the event of a heart-related emergency.
The Cardiac Ready Communities project is a partnership of the North Dakota Department of Health’s Division of Emergency Medical Systems and the American Heart Association through the North Dakota Cardiac System of Care. The program is designed to promote survival from a cardiac event that occurs outside of the hospital setting.
Jenny Iverson, Paramedic and AHA Coordinator at Jamestown Ambulance, is currently working to achieve ND Cardiac Ready Community designation for Jamestown.
“One of the key components of the program is development of a committee to oversee the
needs and concerns of the community in relation to cardiac readiness,” Iverson stated in an e-mail. “Factors related to Cardiac Ready designation include availability of CPR education in the community, availability of AEDs in the community, community education relating to preventable conditions that lead to cardiac arrest, and activities to help community members monitor contributing factors for cardiac disease (such as blood pressure monitoring). Within Jamestown, we are already meeting some of these conditions, but we can always improve.”
Currently, Iverson is looking for community members interested in cardiac health for the community who are willing to dedicate time and energy to promote cardiac health.
“As a Paramedic and educator, I have found that many times people need additional support to understand the importance of protecting their hearts. I would love to see
our community’s understanding grow and mature, leading to higher cardiac arrest survival rates, reduced hospitalizations and longer, healthier lives,” she stated.
If Jamestown achieves the Cardiac Ready Community designation, it would be one of four communities in the state to be named cardiac ready.
For more on the committee, contact Jenny Iverson at 701-251-2273 or email jiverson@ringdahlems.com.